The beloved physician Luke wrote how Jesus, “put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them,”, and in chapter fourteen and verse eight of his book Luke shared how Jesus told what to do, “when you are bidden of any man to a wedding” where we read:
When you are bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room;
lest a more honorable man than you be bidden of him;
The verse reads, “When you are bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room;” Luke began with the words, “When you are bidden” or “at the time and moment a person whether male or female is invited and called by name to attend” “of any man” which means “by whatever person whether male or female” “to a wedding” or “to attend a marriage feast or banquet”, “sit not down” which means “do not be seated” “in the highest room” or “within the chief, uppermost and first reclining place at the dinner or meal”. Luke shared how Jesus instructed people who were “invited” to a “marriage banquet” were not to be “seated” within the “uppermost and first” reclining places within which to eat.
The verse continues, “lest a more honorable man than you be bidden of him;” Luke added the words, “lest a more honorable man than you” or “whether perhaps and in no way a person who is held in greater honor, prize and preciousness” “be bidden of him” which means “be invited and called by name to attend by the host of the wedding”. Luke shared how Jesus presented the possibility that someone who is of “greater importance and honor” could have been “invited” to the “marriage feast”.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn what Jesus said about being “seated” when a person is “invited” to a “marriage feast”. They were not to seek out and be seated within the “room” of greatest standing because someone who is of “greater importance” may have been “invited” as well. The idea was to be “humble” when “invited” to events, and rather than “pridefully” exalting one's position, there was to be a “submission” and “lowliness” exhibited to others. God sent His Son Jesus who humbled Himself to become as a man so He could identify with people and die for their sins. As Paul the apostle wrote, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” (See Philippians 2:5-8). Those who are wise will receive this word from Jesus and humble themselves when invited to places where most people seek preeminence and self-exaltation.
Next time Luke shares how Jesus says, “he that bade you and him come and say to you, give this man place”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book
“Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the
marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the
Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
