The Parable of the Lowly Place Luke 14:7-11

Review Jesus sometimes used parables to teach non- disciples –“The Two Debtors” to teach a Pharisee –“The Good Samaritan” to teach a lawyer –“The Rich Fool” to teach a greedy listener –“The Barren Fig Tree” to teach about calamities In this parable we will see Him again teaching lessons to non-disciples

The setting Luke 14:1-2 –Jesus invited to dine at home of a ruler of the Pharisees –They watch Him closely –A man with dropsy (a swelling of tissue caused by excess water retention) is also invited Perhaps a setup to see if Jesus would heal on the Sabbath

The setting Luke 14:3-6 –Jesus asks a question Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath? –They WOULD not answer –Jesus then healed the man and asked a new question Which of you would not help a work animal in danger of injury on the Sabbath? –The COULD not answer

The best places Lk 14:7 –Jesus noted that everyone wanted to be at the “best places” at the table The best spot was at the incline of each couch The worst spot was at the foot of each couch

The parable Luke 14:8-10 –A wedding feast ( a common social event) –Don’t choose best place You may be asked to move to lower place for someone more important –Shamed in front of all the guests –Choose lowest place You may be asked to move up –Honored in front of all the guests

The fundamental truth Luke 14:11 –For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. –The same lesson is taught in many places Lk 18:14, Mt 23:6-12, Ps 18:27, Pr 18:12, 29:23, Jms 4:6, 1 Pet 5:5 Remember the story is a parable –Not advice on etiquette –The truth is the spiritual lesson taught by the parable

The lessons of the parable The danger of pride –Prov 16:18, 29:23 –The danger is not just social embarrassment as in the parable –Pride will ruin our relationship with God Prov 8:13 Mark 7: Jn 2:15-17 –Pride caused the Pharisees to use the man with dropsy –Pride kept them from answering Jesus’ question

The lessons of the parable The importance of humility –The Lord blesses the humble Ps 25:9; Prov 3:34 –Humility is a sign of wisdom Prov 11:2 –Humility precedes honor Prov 18:12, 22:4 –Jesus displayed humility by being willing to discuss the healing both before and after the healing

Applying the lessons Are we willing to discuss spiritual issues? –Or like the Pharisees, are our minds already made up and closed? Can we humbly ask others for their opinions and ideas before expressing our own? God expects true humilty –Col 3:12; 1 Pet 5:6; Phil 2:3 –Even when dealing with those who oppose us Titus 3:2; 2 Tim 2:24-25

Conclusion The parable was simple –An unbeliever could hear it and accept it as a rebuke on social etiquette –A believer will hear and understand the true lesson Pride has no place in our lives All need to learn and practice humility Micah 6:8 “He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?”