You don’t want to eventually become a “Maybe,” then change your mind last minute and come to the venue, only to be turned away at the banquet entrance for your name cannot be found on the guest list.
"I deserve a seat at the table!" I have heard this statement many times, especially from women who feel they have worked hard enough to claim their place of power yet are still excluded from the Success Club. One was unhappy about the possibility that nepotism would overshadow her selection as the future CEO of the company, even though she was part of the startup. The current CEO’s children, in their mid-20s, have active roles in the company, bearing their fancy, made-up titles.
Vying for a Seat at the Table?
James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were fishermen before Jesus called them to be fishers of men. Perhaps in the three years they walked with and became a part of Jesus’ inner circle, they felt comfortable enough to make a special request—to let them sit on each of His sides, “when he comes into His glory” (Mark 10:37). How Jesus must have smiled inwardly while He said, “You don’t know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptize with?” (v.38).
We are no different than James and John. We make assumptions that the everyday exchanges and interactions we have across the board—from within the organization and from outside it to vendors, etc.—better position us in achieving the place of honor.
As we count the number of years in our workplaces or our ministry roles, any hardworking person will surely learn the ins and outs of the job. Without a doubt, people sometimes perceive us as the go-to person and rely more on our expertise, making the future even more tangible than it seems. Some dare to escalate this encouragement to be the best replacement when the prized seat is vacated.
Jesus had a simple answer not just to James and John, but to all His disciples: “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all” (vv.43-44).
For VIP Guests Only!
Have you ever had the opportunity to watch a sports game at a private suite or enjoy a theatrical performance from a seat in the box? We find these premium places in stadiums and theaters, even in clubs. You get to enjoy the program in a luxurious and more comfortable place. And you know what else is obvious to others? Someone unhooked that red cord from the stand and let you step into the VIP section!
When you have a special event requiring a private room at a restaurant, the guests in the main dining room often look over their shoulders when the guests start arriving. They want to know if there’s any Who’s Who in the group, generally curious about the group.
But try free seating in a ballroom and you will see people pick the closest table to the stage for the best vantage view. Only those who want to sneak out at some point will choose the ones nearest the doors. And forget about the tables by the kitchen! Those are the last ones to be occupied since you will be bothered by so much noise.
Jesus was a guest at a Pharisee’s home for Sabbath dinner. He noticed that the guests were picking places of honor at the table. Remind you of James and John’s requests to Jesus of where to sit? Well, it’s lesson time, so He said: “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this person,’ and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 14:8-11).
The wedding guests were probably making fools of themselves, racing each other, and scrambling to grab the seats of honor. And it must have been a scene to behold for Jesus to tell a parable at dinner. How would you feel if the message hit you right in the heart? If you have ever been asked to move and give up your seat, you would know that shame is not the only emotion you will have; there will also be anger for losing that preconceived expectation of privilege. As for being asked to move to the best seat, you may be surprised at first but honored by the gesture. So, pick your seat, but pick wisely!
An Invitation to Sit at the Table
At a Thanksgiving dinner in our home, we planned and set up tables for 25 people of family and friends. We were surprised when it ballooned in number, with young political leaders and a celebrity’s son unexpectedly joining. These surprise guests assumed that the chairs at the main dining table were meant for them.
Before Jesus went to the cross, He and His disciples shared the Passover meal. There arose an argument on Who’s Who, the greatest and the least of them, on Jesus’s list. This pettiness had to be settled, so Jesus said, “And I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel” (Luke 22:29-30). His disciples wanted their special ranking clearly defined while Jesus was with them as He was talking about their present servanthood and the future. He wanted them to understand that they would be richly rewarded with a seat in His coming kingdom!
Who deserves a seat at the table? That’s the great question. Are you working on your best strategy today to get you to that elusive place, knowing you have worked so hard and it’s time for you to get noticed? If we talk of a career, perhaps you must keep fighting with more intensity, clawing your way up that slippery corporate ladder. You know, some bought their seats while others were willing to sell their souls to the enemy. That’s the easiest and fastest way to claim a seat!
But if we talk about a Kingdom seat, there’s not much you can do about it except for Jesus either to knock on the door of your heart and say, “Come to the table!” The great news is that He gives the same opportunity to everyone, just like when He ate with all sorts of characters labeled as tax collectors and “sinners,” giving them a chance to enjoy His company and hear for themselves His message of salvation. Zacchaeus successfully threw an impromptu party for Jesus and earned his seat. Lazarus, Martha, and Mary opened their home to Jesus and have reserved theirs. Some of those who attended the “feeding” from the miraculous basket of limited contents will find their names on the list.
You can RSVP with a “Yes” today to the great banquet Jesus intends to hold and reserve your seat at the table! He is calling “the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind” (Luke 14:12). You might be thinking you’re not any of those. I ask you to think of why Jesus came. He wanted—and still wants—to heal the sick, be it physical or spiritual, brokenhearted, poor in spirit, etc. We all have a need for healing and wholeness that He alone can give!
Prepare yourself now less you get caught up with busyness. Clear your calendar and don’t accept any other invitation. You don’t want to eventually become a “Maybe,” then change your mind last minute and come to the venue, only to be turned away at the banquet entrance for your name cannot be found on the guest list.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Mkovalevskaya
Luisa Collopy is an author, speaker and a women’s Bible study teacher. She also produces Mula sa Puso (From the Heart) in Tagalog (her heart language), released on FEBC Philippines stations. Luisa loves spending time with her family over meals and karaoke!
