“When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place.  But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests.  For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Luke 14:8-11

---

“I didn’t know where to sit at the wedding reception. So, I sat at the head table.”

Can you imagine doing this? Can you imagine someone else doing this?

You probably know a person who thinks more highly of themselves than they ought. They are convinced to the core that they’re more intelligent, more attractive, more gifted, more accomplished, more wealthy, more whatever and ultimately more deserving than anyone in the room. Even if some of these are true, it doesn’t give them a green light to claim a place of honor that belongs to someone else.

In today’s passage, Jesus is dining in the home of a distinguished spiritual leader. He cringed as guests jockeyed for position around the head table, ignorant of their behavior or the host’s intentions. As the only One in the room worthy to sit in any seat, it’s impressive that the Son of God graciously addresses what is going on in plain sight and under the surface. Rather than point fingers and publicly shame arrogant culprits, Jesus presents a case study that cuts to the heart. His challenge to the leaders (and followers) in Luke 14:8-11 isn’t a lesson on reception etiquette. Jesus sets the table for us on how humility and honor work in God’s house.

There are appropriate times for recognition, but it’s never the recognized person’s role to brag and demand attention. Jesus consistently taught and modeled humility that leads to honor, not vice versa. That honor may or may not be on display for all the world to see. The most influential people lead by sacrificing and serving, not self-promoting and status-preserving. And that’s a reality check for all of us.

The next time you don’t know where to sit, wait patiently, humbly ask, or take the lowest place.

Next Steps

Which bothers you more, seeing someone sit in a place of prominence without permission or not being ushered to a better seat for yourself? While neither of these may get under your skin, allow your heart to reflect on today’s passage. Then, write out a prayer about your desire to live out God’s way of humility and honor at home, work, church, school, or even an upcoming wedding reception.