Sit in the Lowest Room - Luke 14:10

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, 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. And he that bade you and him come and say to you, Give this man place; and you begin with shame to take the lowest room”, and in chapter fourteen and verse ten of his book Luke shared how Jesus said, “when you are bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room” where we read:

But when you are bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade you comes, he may say unto you, Friend, go up higher: then shall you have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with you.

The verse reads, “But when you are bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room;” Luke began with the words, “but when you are bidden” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover at the time and moment a person is invited and called to attend”, “go and sit down” which means “depart, traverse and journey inside and be seated” “in the lowest room” or “within the least and extreme last place”. Luke shared how Jesus instructed those listening to Him to be “seated” within the “least place” when they are invited to a feast.

The verse continues, “that when he that bade you comes, he may say unto you, Friend, go up higher:” Luke added the words, “that when he that bade you comes” or “so at the time and moment the person who invites and calls a person to arise and appear”, “he may say unto you” which means “the host will utter, declare and proclaim to the one invited”, “Friend” or “associate, neighbor and actively fond of one”, “go up higher” which means “ascend and be promoted to an upper and more conspicuous place”. Luke shared how Jesus said when the host appears, he will tell the one who humbled himself to “ascend” to a more prominent “place”.

Finally the verse says, “then shall you have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with you.” Luke concluded this verse with the words, “then shall you have worship” or “at that time the person invited will have praise, honor, splendor and glory” “in the presence of them” which means “before and in the sight of the people” “that sit at meat with you” or “who are seated at the meal with the one who humbled himself”. Luke shared how Jesus said when the person who has “humbled themselves” is invited to sit in a higher place, all the other guest will “honor” him.

When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we see how Jesus directed those listening to Him how to act when they are invited to a “meal” or “meeting”. Rather than assume the “upper seats” or “higher place” in for themselves, they should be seated in the “lower places”. Then when the host of the meal or meeting arrives, he will invite them to be “seated” in a more exalted place, and everyone in the room will give them “honor” for their advance. God knows best for every person, and as Jesus said, “every one that exalts himself shall be abased; and he that humbles himself shall be exalted.” (See Luke 18:14). Those who are wise will hear Jesus' instructions and allow Him to “honor” them when they obey.

Next time Luke shares how Jesus says, “whosoever exalts himself shall be abased”, 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".