Luke 14:7-14

The parable of the Wedding Feast -- Luke 14:7-14: Jesus observed how those who were bidden were interested in the chief seats. He put forth the parable of the wedding feast to again teach them the principles that had been taught in Proverbs 25:6-7. Solomon wrote, "Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men: For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen." Jesus said, "When you are invited to a wedding feast, don't sit in the best place. Someone more important may have been invited. Then the one who invited you will come and say, "Give your place to this other guest!" You will be embarrassed and will have to sit in the worst place. When you are invited to be a guest, go and sit in the worst place. Then the one who invited you may come and say, "My friend, take a better seat!" You will then be honored in front of all the other guests. If you put yourself above others, you will be put down. But if you humble yourself, you will be honored." Jesus not only had a word for those attending the feast but those who gave the feast. He told them that they should not just invite their rich neighbors and others who could repay them. He instructed them to invite the poor or infirmed who could not repay them. He gave them the promise that if they did this "God will bless you and reward you when His people rise from death."