Where to Sit?
Luke 14:7-14
Rabbi Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz
Luke 14:7 Now He began telling a parable to the invited guests when He noticed
how they had been picking out the places of honor at the table, saying to them, 8
“Whenever you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not take the place of
honor, for someone more distinguished than you may have been invited by him, 9
and the one who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this
person,’ and then in disgrace you will proceed to occupy the last place. 10 “But
whenever you are invited, go and take the last place, so that when the one who has
invited you comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher’; then you will have
honor in the sight of all who are dining at the table with you. 11 “For everyone who
exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
When I was in seminary, one of my instructors shared a story that left a lasting
impression on me. The class was a field study course, where we met every couple of
weeks to discuss our experiences in the churches we were assigned to. Our instructor—
let’s call him Larry—told us about an event that had just occurred in his church.
Larry was concerned that his congregation wasn’t showing proper hospitality to
strangers. He noticed that people became upset when someone new walked through
the door, and even more upset if that person wasn’t dressed “appropriately.” Larry
wanted his people to understand that you can come as you are. Not everyone owns a
fancy Sunday suit or an elegant dress.
So, one Sunday, Larry decided to teach a lesson. Before anyone arrived, he dressed in
clothes that looked like rags—clothing you might find on a homeless person.
Underneath, he wore his regular Sunday attire. Then he sat on the steps leading to the
church entrance, hiding his face, and asked those who passed by for alms.
Larry said many people ignored him completely. A few became angry, threatening to
call the police. Some even turned around and entered the church through another door
to avoid him.
When the service began, people wondered where Larry was. It wasn’t like him to be
late. Then, the “homeless man” walked into the sanctuary. You could hear a pin drop.
Jaws fell open as Larry walked down the center aisle, removed the dirty, torn clothing,
and revealed his Sunday suit. The shock on people’s faces was unforgettable. Then Larry
spoke about hospitality.
In Luke 14:7–14, we find a similar lesson. Jesus tells a story about humility and
hospitality. Why would He teach this to His disciples—people who already understood
the importance of hospitality in their culture? Perhaps because even those who know
the right thing can forget to live it out.
Hospitality was central in the Middle East. Families prepared food daily, and women
baked bread—enough for their household and a smaller loaf reserved for guests. People
knew what hospitality meant. Yet Jesus reminded them—and us—that true hospitality
goes beyond cultural norms. It’s about welcoming those we don’t know, even those we
might not like. It’s about choosing the lowest seat at the table and waiting to be
honored, rather than assuming a place that isn’t ours.
This lesson reminds me of pews in churches. Many claim to be welcoming, but if you
sit in “someone’s pew,” you might be asked to move. I once visited a church as a guest
preacher and sat in the middle of the congregation. Moments later, an older woman
told me I was in her pew and needed to leave. You should have seen her face when I
was called up to preach!
Churches often say they are friendly and welcoming. Few truly are. We need to teach
what hospitality means—and enforce it. Church leadership must be willing to call out
behavior that contradicts the Gospel. If we don’t, we risk losing the very heart of what
it means to be the body of Christ.
Hospitality is not optional. It is the Gospel in action. It is love made visible.
So, where should you sit? Anywhere. And when someone new walks through the door,
make sure they know they belong.
