March 19 | Luke 14:7-11
- Kathleen Serio
- Mar 18
- 2 min read
DAILY READING
REFLECTION
Where to Sit
By Kathleen Serio
I often find myself wondering why life has to be so complicated. Why does it matter where people sit? Can’t they just enjoy dinner? I started to think about all the scenarios where the place people sat actually mattered. Then I got stuck on the idea of actually being in this situation and feeling embarrassed as Jesus is describing. That’s when I just got annoyed at how complicated life seems and I had to stop. It isn’t complicated. There is nothing confusing to be found in this situation. Jesus tells us exactly where to sit. He tells us why, and all we have to do is follow what He says.
So I then wonder that, if this is such a simple idea, then why do we continue to study this passage if it is as simple as learning that when you go to an event, you should sit in the spot of least importance? Thankfully, this question has an easy answer as well: there is far more that Jesus is teaching us in these verses than where we should sit.
Jesus is using this parable to help us understand the main point that He makes in verse 11 that “those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Because unlike sitting at a table at a wedding, the act of humbling ourselves is not an easy idea to fully grasp. Jesus is reminding us of one of His key teachings- the first shall be last and the last shall be first (Matthew 16:20). Jesus is reminding us that being humble, having humility, and thinking of others is important. It is a way for Jesus to reinforce that it is by the Grace of God, and ONLY the Grace of God, that we are saved and may enter the Kingdom of Heaven (Ephesians 2:8-9).
PRAYER
God, thank you for the parables that Jesus used to help us understand ideas that are far beyond what we could grasp on our own. Thank you for the reminders that he gave in his teachings and the examples he showed. Help us to remember to humble ourselves and think of others. Remind us that we are dependent on you and help us to remember to praise you for the Grace you have given us.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
KATHLEEN SERIO
I grew up at UALC and have been blessed to have many role models in this church. They encouraged me to pursue my passions including volunteering with Young Kids’ VBS, HSM, teaching Sunday School, small groups, Operation Christmas Child, mission trips, ushering, and more. It has been a joy to go from participating in ministries as a kid to becoming a leader as an adult.
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