The Parable of the Humbled Guest Simplified (Luke 14:7-11)

The parable of the humble guest in Luke 14:7-11 relates:

Then he told a parable to the guests, noting how they chose the best places, saying to them: 8 “When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit in the best place, lest someone more honorable than you be invited by them; 9 and the one who invited you comes and says to you: ‘Give him a place,’ and then you begin in shame to take the lowest place, when the one who invited you comes and says to you: ‘Friend, go up higher.’ Then you will have glory before those who sit at table with you. 11 For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

I’m not sure if I remember ever hearing this preached. Perhaps one of the reasons this isn’t being shared or I don’t remember it being shared is that I don’t know if I’ve ever been to an occasion where there were higher seats than others. At a wedding, yes, there are seats in the front closest to the wedding table. But in modern weddings we have place names and the seating arrangement is already prepared. It is the same with official functions, and there are not many tables. So let’s talk about the parable in the context of where Jesus was and then we can go from there.

We read in the passage that the people Jesus was talking about were simply taking it upon themselves to go and sit in the best seats. Jesus told them not to sit in the special seats because they might be asked to vacate them when the special people arrived. But instead, he advised them to sit in the smallest place and wait until the host of the party asked them to move to the high places.

I remember a mission trip to India where about 100 to 150 pastors and their wives attended. A dinner was served which was organized by an Indian apostle, leader of more than 400 churches and a Bible school. The food was served on banana leaves, which was typical of Indian meals. There were four long tables. I was about to sit down in one of the chairs when the apostle gestured to me and said, “Come and sit here.”

It was incredible! She couldn’t believe it. He was sitting to the right of the apostle who led our mission trip of 150 people and who led a denomination of 400 churches! And in stages during the meal, he turned to me and asked me questions. She couldn’t believe how lucky she was to be sitting next to him.

The reason why I was so interested in him was that it was the first time I had met a person who was in charge of 400 churches. Indians are my favorite race of people in the world. So I was so excited to meet someone who was in charge of large groups of them. I was so impressed with it. But I was more impressed that he put Jesus in person on multiple occasions and conversed with him. I put Jesus in the flesh once and then I had something to talk to him about. She was so, so, so happy to be sitting next to him. I felt so important.

This was what Jesus was talking about. When we get to that post-conference dinner, I’m not sure how people should sit. All I know is that the apostle caught my eye and had reserved a seat next to him and asked me to sit in it. It was a wonderful day.

In certain churches, the front seat is occupied by senior pastors or the most important people in the church. I always like to be near the front in my own church; I just feel closer to God on the front lines. In sports and entertainment, the closer you are to the front, the closer you are to the action.

So I figured if you’re invited to an official function, taking the most important seat or the seat right in front of someone you don’t know very well might be a bit insulting. Jesus was telling these proud men that if you exalt yourself, you will be humbled by God. But if you humble yourself, you will be exalted.

Now when I was in India, I was quite a proud person. I still have elements of pride within me. So, it wasn’t any of my own humility that got me high that day. It is simply a perfect illustration of this parable. I feel like even though I’ve been proud in the past, God saw my heart and spoke to the apostle that day and said, “Have Matthew come and sit next to you.” And it was really a privilege, you know. Peter said it too: “Humble yourselves before the Lord and in his due time he will exalt you.” (1 Peter 5:6)

Humility is something that Jesus is great at. He humbled himself and was born in a stable. He humbled himself as a man when he was crucified naked on the cross for us. Jesus never took the high seat. There was no wedding party in Israel that had a more exalted seat than the one Jesus could have taken. Jesus could have taken the most exalted seat at any function in Israel in his day. He was the Messiah. But Jesus walked in humility.

That is the lesson for all of us in this parable. Jesus was talking here about humility; to take a back seat; of not being hungry for recognition. If you are a mature and humble Christian, you really have no need of recognition when you did something for the Lord. You well know that the Lord does not overlook what is done for Him. If you are not exalted on earth, you will certainly reap your rewards in heaven.

Jesus was saying that all the devotion was not enough to be proud and go around thinking that you are better than anyone else. He will find that the personality of Jesus is expressed in his parables. You get a fuller picture of who Jesus was and what he believed when you spend time reading and understanding his parables.

I hope this has touched your heart.