Where To Sit?

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.