Seating Arrangements

Once again, we see Jesus having dinner at the house of one of the Pharisees. Although not all the Pharisees were hostile to him (think of Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus), on this occasion, they were watching him carefully, ready to spring on him if they caught him breaking the law.

Jesus knew what they were thinking (compare John 2:25). And so this time, he took the initiative and confronted them with two questions. None of them dared answer. Notice how in this whole narrative of Jesus going to the cross, he is always in control. Nobody ever manipulates him.

When he saw how the guests were behaving at the dinner, Jesus may have had in mind Proverbs 25:6-7:

Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence,

and do not claim a place among his great men;

it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,”

than for him to humiliate you before his nobles. (NIV)

In Canada today, we don’t pay a lot of attention to who sits where at a dinner. But it’s not hard to think of other situations where it counts a lot. I think immediately of when I played in a symphony orchestra, where the best performers are positioned in the front. I can remember one occasion when we all took our seats for the first rehearsal, and the conductor beckoned to some people in the back and asked them to come forward and change places with people who had chosen to sit in the front. Ouch, for those who were relegated to the back! I know, because I was one of them. I can’t read this parable without thinking of that.

The theme of sudden reversals runs all through this section of Luke. The Pharisees, who just assumed that they had reserved seats at the final banquet, were in for a shock. Will only a few be saved? Maybe, but it may not be the people you think. There will be some surprises in heaven.

Respond in Prayer

Lord Jesus, you know how much these words go against our own instincts, how much we like to hear words of affirmation or praise, and how difficult it is to let other people sit in the best seats. Yet you were born in a stable and died on a cross. Please forgive us for our pride, and teach us to live like you. Amen.

Annabel Robinson

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version® (NIV®).