Take the Lowest Seat

When Jesus noticed that all who had come to the dinner were trying to sit in the seats of honor near the head of the table, he gave them this advice: "When you are invited to a wedding feast, don't sit in the seat of honor. What if someone who is more distinguished than you has also been invited? The host will come and say, 'Give this person your seat.' Then you will be embarrassed, and you will have to take whatever seat is left at the foot of the table! "Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you, he will come and say, 'Friend, we have a better place for you!' Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." Luke 14:7-11

Meditate on priorities.

 

When was the last time you were invited to a wedding with a huge dinner as the reception? Were there table assignments or name place cards indicating just where you should sit? No seating arrangements? Where did you choose to sit? Wedding receptions tend to be just cake and punch—but still there are tables and seating. Do you sit at the back of the room…the side or center? How well do you know the bride and groom? Choices—choices! There are always so many choices to make.

Jesus was giving an etiquette lesson. Be nice. Choose the seat farthest away. Then if you are honored by the host, he will move you closer to the head table. It doesn’t matter if it is a wedding banquet, Sabbath dinner, church potluck, or a birthday party. Take the lowest seat. You’re not the star of the day, so don’t put yourself in an embarrassing position. Jesus gives us such good advice. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. Proverbs provides us with a couple of verses along this same thought.

Haughtiness goes before destruction; humility precedes honor. Proverbs 18:12

Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor. Proverbs 29:23

These are in the New Living Translation. Read them in the Amplified or The Message for an even deeper conviction.

            What do we gain from knowing this advice from our Lord and Savior, Jesus?

 

Prayer – Lord Jesus, thank You for Your lesson on etiquette in this Scripture passage. It is good to save face and not be humbled or humiliated in public. Holy Spirit, thank You for reminding and guiding us through even little things like where to sit in a gathering.

 

Verse of Salvation ~ (In David’s praise after the Ark was brought into the Tabernacle.) Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Cry out, "Save us, O God of our salvation! Gather and rescue us from among the nations, so we can thank your holy name and rejoice and praise you." 1 Chronicles 16:34-35

 

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

My Grand Pumpkin Sweeties...
several years ago!

It is pumpkin harvest time. Cook up some fresh pumpkin or open a can of pumpkin puree and make some soft yummy cookies. My kids loved these every fall when they were growing up.

 

Libby’s Pumpkin Cookies

4 c. unsifted flour (part whole wheat if desired)

2 c uncooked oatmeal

2 tsp baking soda

2 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp salt

1½ c butter, softened

1 c packed brown sugar

1 c cane sugar

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla extract

16 ounces pumpkin puree (not pie filling)

1 c chocolate chips or chopped nuts, optional

Canned icing or peanut butter for icing. Decorate with assorted candy, raisins, or nuts as desired.

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cookie sheets with parchment or lightly grease.

Combine flour, soda, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.

Cream butter, add sugars, beat until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla. Mix. Alternately add dry ingredients and pumpkin to egg mixture, mixing well after each addition. Stir n any chips and/or nuts as desired.

Drop ¼ cup dough onto cookie sheets. Shape like a pumpkin if desired. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes until lightly browned and firm. Remove from cookie sheets to racks to cool. Ice and decorate as you wish. Makes about 32 large cookies. Enjoy with some cold milk or warm eggnog.

 

© 2026 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. 

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted. 

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. 

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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