Choosing the Lowest Place at the Feast

Jesus was at a meal and noticed that the invited guests were choosing the best seats. So he told them a parable. He said that when someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not sit down first in the place of highest honour. A more honoured guest may also have been invited.

Then the host who invited both of you might come and tell you to make room for that person. You would have to move down to the lowest place in shame. So Jesus said that when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place.

If you do that, the host may come and ask you to move higher. Then you will be honoured in front of the others at the table. Jesus gave the meaning plainly: everyone who lifts himself up will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be lifted up.

Jesus also spoke to the man who had invited him. He said that when you give a dinner or a supper, do not invite your friends, your brothers, your relatives, or rich neighbours in order to be repaid by them.

Instead, Jesus said to invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, and the blind. They do not have the means to repay you, yet such a host will be blessed. Jesus said that repayment will come in the resurrection of the righteous. Who could you welcome without expecting anything back?