Ελληνικό SiteMessages for the guests and for the host
Although not everyone had violated protocol, everyone needed to be reminded of the principle of humility.
Luke 14:7-11 — for the guests
- Have you ever sat at the wrong table? Jesus noticed that at this dinner many (far too many) of the guests were trying, intentionally, to sit at the head table(s) (v. 7).
- Jesus counseled against this practice, warning of the embarrassment that might result (v. 8-9).
- To the contrary, Jesus counseled that one choose a less significant place and be delighted when asked to move to a better table (v. 10).
- The principle? Exalt yourself and be abased; humble yourself and be exalted (v. 11).
Luke 14:12-14 — for the host
- Whom should you invite to dinner?
- Jesus counseled not to invite one’s friends, brethren, kinsmen, or rich neighbors who can reciprocate (v. 12).
- To the contrary, one should invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, and the blind who cannot reciprocate. But God will (v. 13-14).
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Luke 14:7-11
7And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them,
8When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him;
9And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room.
10But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.
11For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
Luke 14:12-14
12Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee.
13But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:
14And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.