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I Went First

October 23, 2022

Luke 14:7-14

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.”

12 Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

Read Luke 14:7-11

  1. What are some ways that you enjoy being honored?
  2. It is possible to read this parable as a practical instruction on not putting yourself into embarrassing situations. Is this all this instruction is about, or is something more going on? What might that something more be?
  3. What character flaw is Jesus warning against? What virtue is he promoting? Share an example from your own life of where you struggle with the flaw Jesus warns about. Share an example from your own life of the virtue he is promoting.
  4. Do a little digging (google, a concordance, etc.) and find other passages from the Bible that echo what Jesus says in verse 11. Share those with the group.

Read Luke 14:12-14

  1. Jesus tells essentially the same parable from the opposite side. He shifts the focus from the invited guest to the one hosting the meal. He shifts attention from how we should think of ourselves to how we should consider others. Describe how this shapes your understanding of this passage.
  2. Many people, especially people in a relatively affluent place like Mission Viejo, are uncomfortable about reaching to the poor and interacting with those who are needy. Why do you think this is? What helps you personally overcome your discomfort?
  3. What helps you keep mindful and aware of the needs of people around you? How do you know when to help and when to just keep moving without stopping to help?
  4. How does Jesus live out the lesson that he is teaching here?
  5. What do you think about the idea of eternal rewards? What do you think they will be like? What other passages can you think of that talk about eternal rewards?