THE BANQUET PARABLES: THE EMBARRASSED GUEST
(Message by Tanny Keng)
1. The Banquet Parables
a) Jesus told the three Banquet Parables at the house of a prominent Pharisee during a banquet to which he had been invited.
b) The parables of the Embarrassed Guest, the Luncheon for the Poor, and the Slighted Invitation relate to the grace of God. These parables emphasize the humility and lowliness of heart that we must show in receiving his grace (Luke 14:7-24).
2. The Embarrassed Guest
Luke 14:7-11
“7 Jesus told a parable to the invited guests, because he noticed how they chose the places of honor for themselves. He said to them, 8 "When someone invites you to a wedding feast, don't sit down in a place of honor, in case he invites someone more distinguished than you. 9 He who invited you both will come and say to you, 'Give your place to this person please,' and then you will be ashamed as you take the lowest place. 10 But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, 'Friend, please move to a higher place.' Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. 11 For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
a) This parable was spoken to the guests at the Pharisee's banquet. Jesus had noticed them picking out the places of honor for themselves, and this prompted the parable. Jesus presents to them an imaginary or hypothetical banquet scene in which they themselves figure. Suppose they presume to take the high place reserved for the guest of honor. Then they may be asked to move to a less honored place, and thus be disgraced and embarrassed. However, if they choose to sit in the lowest place, they will likely be asked to take a more honored position and this will reflect to their credit. This parable is disarmingly simple and sensible, and very true to life for those to whom it was told.
b) The parable of the Embarrassed Guest is not just a piece of practical advice, but is true at a spiritual level too. Jesus himself makes this application of the parable. He says, "For everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted". This is true in the kingdom of God. It was even true of Christ the king — he humbled himself by dying on the cross, and God highly exalted him (Philippians 2:8-10).
The End ...
1. The Banquet Parablesa) Jesus told the three Banquet Parables at the house of a prominent Pharisee during a banquet to which he had been invited.
b) The parables of the Embarrassed Guest, the Luncheon for the Poor, and the Slighted Invitation relate to the grace of God. These parables emphasize the humility and lowliness of heart that we must show in receiving his grace (Luke 14:7-24).
2. The Embarrassed Guest
Luke 14:7-11
“7 Jesus told a parable to the invited guests, because he noticed how they chose the places of honor for themselves. He said to them, 8 "When someone invites you to a wedding feast, don't sit down in a place of honor, in case he invites someone more distinguished than you. 9 He who invited you both will come and say to you, 'Give your place to this person please,' and then you will be ashamed as you take the lowest place. 10 But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, 'Friend, please move to a higher place.' Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. 11 For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
a) This parable was spoken to the guests at the Pharisee's banquet. Jesus had noticed them picking out the places of honor for themselves, and this prompted the parable. Jesus presents to them an imaginary or hypothetical banquet scene in which they themselves figure. Suppose they presume to take the high place reserved for the guest of honor. Then they may be asked to move to a less honored place, and thus be disgraced and embarrassed. However, if they choose to sit in the lowest place, they will likely be asked to take a more honored position and this will reflect to their credit. This parable is disarmingly simple and sensible, and very true to life for those to whom it was told.
b) The parable of the Embarrassed Guest is not just a piece of practical advice, but is true at a spiritual level too. Jesus himself makes this application of the parable. He says, "For everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted". This is true in the kingdom of God. It was even true of Christ the king — he humbled himself by dying on the cross, and God highly exalted him (Philippians 2:8-10).
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