Christ was invited to eat with a ruler of the Pharisees on the sabbath (14:1). He observed how the others who were called chose the best seats (14:7). Then He gave the parable of the chief seats in order to teach humility.
PROMINENT POSITIONS AND CHIEF SEATS ARE SOUGHT BY MANY:
In the business world. Even in the church. Many seek to make a show rather than to please God. But Paul wrote: “For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ” (Gal. 1:10).
Many preachers often look for higher places, such as James and John: “James and John, the two sons of Zebedee, *came up to Jesus, saying, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask of You.” And He said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?” They said to Him, “Grant that we may sit, one on Your right and one on Your left, in Your glory” (Mark 10:35-37).
THE PARABLE:
Jesus instructed His disciples to seat themselves in a humble position rather than in the chief seats. Someone more honorable may come in. Some might say to the disciple, “Give this man your place.” The disciple would then be forced to take lower seat with embarrassment.
Jesus explained that if one takes a lower seat and is invited up higher, he will have glory: “But when you are invited, go and recline at the last place, so that when the one who has invited you comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher’; then you will have honor in the sight of all who are at the table with you” (Luke 14:10).
EVERYONE SHOULD SEEK TO SERVE RATHER THAN TO BE SERVED:
If one does things just for the glory of men, he has already received his reward. “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full” (Matt. 6:1-5).
Chief seats are where we are seen by men. Now, words of appreciate are always in order and we need those encouraging thoughts. Also, we are responsible before God for the proper use of our talents (Matt. 25:14-30).
“HE THAT EXALTS HIMSELF SHALL BE HUMBLED”:
Nebuchadnezzar exalted himself, but God debased him by giving him the heart of a beast (Dan. 4:28-33).
Herod exalted himself and he was eat by worms (Acts 12:20-23).
“HE THAT HUMBLES HIMSELF SHALL BE EXALTED”:
Solomon did not ask God for the position he had but rather for wisdom. Because of his (initial) humility, Solomon was exalted (1 Kings 3:5-14).
Christ humbled Himself and was exalted (Acts 8:32-33; Phil. 2:5-11).
JESUS TAUGHT THE LESSON OF HUMILITY TO HIS INNER CIRCLE OF DISCIPLES:
The disciples wanted exalted positions in His kingdom (Luke 22:24-27).
Jesus washed their feet (John 13:14).
He assumed the role of a servant in order to teach the disciples. Jesus taught that the greatest person is the servant of all: “But it is not this way with you, but the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant” (Luke 22:26).
- the late Wayne Holland, Sr.
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sermon preached March 22, 1992 in South Boston, VA
–Paul Holland
