The Lowest Seat
"Friend, move up to a better place"
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- A verse number shows the Bible’s exact words.
- An underlined word shows what it means.
Story
What happened?
Tap a verse number, like , to read the Bible’s exact words.
The whole story, in shortWhat happens, start to finish. Open it if you want the ending first.
At a Sabbath dinner at a leading Pharisee's house, Jesus healed a man and then noticed the guests choosing the best seats. He told them to take the lowest seat instead, so the host could say, "Friend, move up to a better place," because everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the humble will be exalted. He told the host to invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind, who can't pay him back.
Where it is in the Bible: Luke 14:1-14
Who’s who and what came beforePeople, places, and the story so far. Open it anytime.
Scene Card
Cast
- Jesus: The one the Gospels present as the promised Messiah and the Son of God.
- A leading Pharisee: An important religious leader. He has invited Jesus to dinner.
- The guests: Pharisees and experts in God's law. They are watching Jesus closely.
- A sick man: A man whose body is swollen with fluid. The old word for this is "dropsy."
Setting
- The home of a leading Pharisee, at a Sabbath dinner.
When
- About 2,000 years ago, while Jesus was traveling toward Jerusalem.
Before the Story
Jesus often ate with people. He ate with tax collectors and sinners (5:29-30). He also ate with Pharisees (7:36).
Jesus had healed on the Sabbath before. Some leaders were angry about it (13:14).
Seats at a dinner showed who was important. The places closest to the host were the places of honor.
Map of the Story
| Scene | Verses | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Watched closely | 14:1-6 | Jesus heals a man at a Sabbath dinner |
| 2. Places of honor | 14:7-9 | Guests grab the best seats |
| 3. The last place | 14:10-11 | Jesus says to take the lowest seat |
| 4. Who to invite | 14:12-14 | Jesus tells the host to invite the poor |
Plain Retelling
Scene 1 of 4Watched Closely
One Sabbath, Jesus went to eat at the home of a leading Pharisee. The guests were watching him closely.
Right in front of Jesus was a man whose body was swollen with a sickness called dropsy.
Jesus asked the experts in the law and the Pharisees, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?" (14:3).
They didn't answer.
So Jesus took hold of the man, healed him, and sent him on his way.
Then Jesus asked them, if your son or your ox fell into a well on the Sabbath, wouldn't you pull him out right away?
They had no answer.
Scene 2 of 4Places of Honor
Jesus noticed how the guests were choosing the best seats. So he told them a parable.
When you are invited to a wedding feast, don't sit in the place of honor.
Someone more important might be coming. Then the host will say, "Give this man your seat." And you'll have to move to the last place, embarrassed in front of everyone.
Scene 3 of 4The Last Place
"But when you are invited, go and sit in the last place, so that your host will come and tell you, 'Friend, move up to a better place.'" (14:10).
Then you will be honored in front of everyone.
"For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted" (14:11).
To exalt means to lift up. To be humbled means to be brought low.
Scene 4 of 4Who to Invite
Then Jesus spoke to the host.
When you give a dinner, don't just invite friends, family, or rich neighbors who can invite you back.
"But when you host a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind, and you will be blessed" (14:13-14).
They can't pay you back. But God will, at the resurrection.
Meaning
What does it mean?
Read It
What Does This Mean?
| The text says | It means |
|---|---|
| "Watching Him closely" (14:1) | They were hoping to catch Jesus doing something wrong. |
| "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?" (14:3) | Jesus asked them the question they were thinking. |
| "Go and sit in the last place" (14:10) | Don't push yourself forward. |
| "The one who humbles himself will be exalted" (14:11) | God lifts up humble people. |
| "Invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind" (14:13) | Welcome people who can't pay you back. |
| "You will be repaid at the resurrection" (14:14) | God sees and rewards kindness. |
Back Then
Guests reclined on couches around a low table. The seats nearest the host were the best ones.
Proverbs gives the same advice. It says not to put yourself forward before a king. It is better to be told, "Come up here" (Proverbs 25:6-7).
Dinners were about honor. People invited guests who could invite them back and raise their status.
Literal Reader Alert
Is Jesus just giving tips for being honored? It sounds like it at first. But Jesus is teaching about God's kingdom, where the humble are lifted up. God is the host who says, "Friend, move up."
Can I never invite my friends to dinner? Of course you can. Jesus is saying: don't only invite people who can pay you back. Make room for people who are left out.
Does being humble mean thinking I'm worthless? No. Being humble means not needing to be the most important. You are precious to God.
How People Feel
| Who | Feeling | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The guests | Suspicious | They watched Jesus closely (14:1) |
| The sick man | Relieved | Jesus healed him (14:4) |
| The guests | Eager | They wanted the best seats (14:7) |
| Someone moved down | Embarrassed | They had to take the last place (14:9) |
For you
What does it mean for me?
Your Turn
Where do you want the best seat? Tap one.
At school
It's tempting to want to be first. Jesus lifts up the humble.
With friends
Who is being left out? You could invite them.
I'm always last
God sees you. He is the host who says, "Friend, move up."
Online
Wanting to be noticed is normal. You're already noticed by God.
You Might Have Heard
"You have to push your way to the top."
What's true: Working hard and using your gifts is good.
What the story is mainly about: In God's kingdom, the humble are lifted up. Jesus himself took the lowest place. He was born in a stable and died on a cross. God lifted him up.
Where Jesus is: At a dinner where everyone wanted the best seat, healing a sick man and making room for people left out.
Good News
Jesus took the lowest seat. He came down from heaven to serve us.
"For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted" (14:11).
God invites people who can't pay him back. That's all of us. He welcomes us to his table, and says, "Friend, come up here."
Jesus took the lowest place for us. God welcomes everyone who can't pay him back, and lifts up the humble.
Big Idea
Take the lowest seat and invite people who can't pay you back. God lifts up the humble, and welcomes us to his table.
If this story brings up big feelings, talk with someone you trust, like a parent, pastor, or counselor.
For leaders and parentsLuther, church readings, and notes for teaching.
From Luther
Luther taught that we come to God like beggars, with empty hands. God fills them with his gifts. At the Lord's Supper, Christ welcomes sinners to his table.
In Church
Many churches follow the Revised Common Lectionary. In Year C, it reads Luke 14:1 and 7-14 in late August or early September (Lectionary 22).
We quote Luther for what he got right about grace. He also wrote terrible things about Jewish people. Read our note on that.
Memorize
How do I keep it?
One line from this story to learn by heart. Practice a little now. It will come back later so it sticks.
For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.
How did that feel?
Using this at church
Read in church on
- Lectionary 22 Year CGospel, Luke 14:1, 7–14
For a newsletter or sermon notes
The Lowest Seat, explained in plain words. Guests grab the best seats at a dinner. Jesus says to take the lowest one. About 8 minutes. https://freescripture.org/stories/the-lowest-seat/
Lines for the next eight Sundays, on Digital Lutheran Church