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Take the Lowest Seat Parable Life Lessons

Parable Lessons, Christian Inspiration / By

The Parable of the Lowest Seat

The Parable of the Lowest Seat is also known as the Parable of Honor, Place of Honor, Take the Lowest Seat, and Lowest Seat at the Feast. This parable is included in one Gospel, the book of Luke 14:8-11 NIV.

7 When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: 8 “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. 9 If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. 10 But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests. 11 For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Parable of the Lowest Seat at the Table Life Lessons - picture of wedding banquet table

Table Of Contents
  1. The Parable of the Lowest Seat
  2. What does the Parable of the Lowest Seat at the Feast mean?
  3. What is the moral of the Parable of the Last Seat?
  4. Take the Lowest Seat Life Lessons
  5. Commentary: Luke 14: Take the Lowest Seat Parable
  6. More Parables!

What does the Parable of the Lowest Seat at the Feast mean?

The Parable of the Lowest Seat at the Feast means that those who are prideful and arrogant will be downgraded to their rightful place, while the humble will be highly respected (exalted).

What is the moral of the Parable of the Last Seat?

Jesus led by example as a role model for our lives. As such, He expects His followers to be humble servants and not pompous, prideful boasters who seek out public recognition.

Take the Lowest Seat Life Lessons

The Parable of the Lowest Seat (Take the Lowest Seat) is Jesus’ reminder about pride versus humility in our everyday lives. How do you stack up?

1. Christianity includes everyday actions

What does where you sit at a table have to do with Christianity?

In the Parable of the Lowest Seat at the Feast, Jesus tells us that our everyday actions show us the condition of our hearts. As Christians, the condition of our hearts should mimic the humility of Jesus’ life.

If anyone had reason to be a braggart or to feel ‘better than’ others, it would be Jesus. After all, He’s GOD!

But Jesus acted humbly. He washed His disciples’ feet. He willingly suffered a horrible death to save us.

The Parable of the Seat of Honor shows us that humility in Christianity extends to our everyday lives.

It’s in the way we treat people as being equal or better than we are. It’s being kind and generous to others and putting them first.

It means leaving the ‘best’ seat for someone else – and taking it only when it’s offered.

Do your everyday actions portray pride or humility? Where are your opportunities to become more Christ-like?

2. Pride

Webster’s Dictionary defines pride as: reasonable self-esteem: confidence and satisfaction in oneself: Self-respect.

It is also defined as: exaggerated self-esteem: Conceit.

This second definition is the context in which Jesus said we must not be prideful. When we inflate our value in our minds, brag and boast, pat ourselves on the back, and assume the place of honor at a table is reserved for us, we aren’t following Christ’s example.

Pride is a temptation that leads us away from God.

As we feel more pride in ourselves, we feel less need for God.

We start feeling like we’re invincible and we can handle anything that comes our way. We start relying on our own strength and less on God. We start idolizing our own sense of worth. 

Pride is like running in the opposite direction from God.

3. Humility

If anyone had justification for not being humble, it was Jesus.

Yet, He remained humble even through His torture. He forgave those who beat him, spit on him, and hung him.

Throughout His ministry, He welcomed sinners to eat with Him and He patiently taught those who were willing to listen.

Jesus was without sin, yet He never acted superior, even to the worst sinners.

Society teaches us that we need to be ‘big and bold’ to grab the power we deserve. We learn that being humble is a sign of weakness.

These are worldly lies. If we listen to these lies, we miss out on the fullness of Christian living.

Being humble is a choice we make. When we’re serious about following Christ, we emulate His humility out of love for Him.

4. Seat of Honor bible

The Seat of Honor bible meaning is one we know well. We want to be invited to the table. We want people to say, “Sit at this table with me” or “Sit here next to me”.

We want to be acknowledged and included.

Being offered the Seat of Honor next to the most important person in the room is a high compliment.

Jesus invites us to God’s eternal banquet in heaven. Every seat at His banquet is a Seat of Honor.

Living our lives humbly, in honor of God, and according to His will are ways we show our love. May we be blessed with an eternal seat of honor someday.

Are you seeking deeper faith, a more meaningful life, or greater inner peace?

Embark on a journey of spiritual growth and self-reflection through the timeless teachings found within the forty parables of Jesus Christ. Grab your ebook, softcover, or LARGE PRINT. Read FREE with Kindle Unlimited! Learn more on Amazon (affiliate link). Read a Sample!

Commentary: Luke 14: Take the Lowest Seat Parable

Find Take the Lowest Seat Parable (Parable of Honor, Place of Honor, Parable of the Lowest Seat, and Lowest Seat at the Feast) Commentaries at Bible Study Tools.com. They include free and paid versions. For this article, I referred to Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary.

This post may contain affiliate links. This is my full disclosure.

Photo by Leeloo Thefirst.

More Parables!

Do you love the parables as much as I do? You may enjoy reading life lessons on these others (listed below), these activities for adults and children, or this list of Parables and Meanings. More parable lessons are underway. See them all HERE!

Do you love journaling? Does writing down your personal reflections help you process your thoughts more fully? Perhaps these Christian writing journals will be helpful as you reflect on the life lessons of the parables.

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