The Best Seat

What do you suppose is the best seat in the church building?

the back seat, or course know that because it's the one that fills up the first. We never have to hang "reserved" signs on the front benches. Why does everyone chose the back seat? Maybe it's because it's the farthest from the preacher.

Read Luke 14:7-11

The best seat in the house is actually the last seat! Verse 10 says ... but when you are bidden go and sit down in the lowest room.

I thinks it's fairly obvious that Jesus had more in mind here than seating arrangements at weddings. Luke tells us in verse 7 that this was a parable. the lesson of the parable is found in verse 11 where it says. "for whosoever exalteth himself shall be abashed."

If you would force yourself into the first seat, you'll be humbled. If you are willing to take the last seat, you will be exalted. Oh, how that goes against the grain of our culture! I'm sure you've heard the quote "Winning isn't everything." In our society not only is it everything it's the only thing. Nothing but being first is expectable by today's standards.

In Mark 9:35 Jesus said...

If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.

Doesn't sound like much of a winning formula, does it? "Recline at the last place" Jesus said . then when you're asked I will move you up, it will be an honor. The best seat in the house according to Jesus is the last seat, it's also the learning seat.

Most of us would rather take a short cut to the top. the trouble with that is that, if we do, we avoid all of life's lessons along the way. These days everyone wants the graduating tassel with out the necessary hassle. The trip up from the bottom isn't ever desired but if you start humbly God will move you up, start arrogantly. God will move you down. the best seat in the house is the last seat where God can teach us to be humble. Once we humble ourselves God will move us up!

Written with Love, Pastor Ralph Stacy "Hibbits"