Charles Spurgeon Commentary Luke 14
Charles Spurgeon Commentary
Luke 14
Charles Spurgeon Commentary
Luke 14
"And he spake a parable unto those that were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief seats; saying unto them," — Luke 14:7 (ASV)
And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; (Luke 14:7).
This parable was by far the best part of the entertainment of the day.
"And he spake a parable unto those that were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief seats; saying unto them, When thou art bidden of any man to a marriage feast, sit not down in the chief seat; lest haply a more honorable man than thou be bidden of him, and he that bade thee and him shall come and say to thee, Give this man place; and then thou shalt begin with shame to take the lowest place." — Luke 14:7-9 (ASV)
Saying unto them, When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him; and he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room.
For, of course, the next room is full, and the next, and the only vacant seat, when the feast has begun, will probably be in the very lowest room of the house.
"But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest place; that when he that hath bidden thee cometh, he may say to thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have glory in the presence of all that sit at meat with thee." — Luke 14:10 (ASV)
Note that our Savior was not just then talking to his disciples, or else he would have given more spiritual reasons for his advice; but, speaking to the people who were gathered as guests at the Pharisee's house, he appealed to them with an argument suitable to them. We may, however, extract the marrow from this bone.
Let us not covet the highest place; let us not desire honor among men. In the Church of God the way upward is downward. The one who does the lowest work will have the highest honor. Our Master washed his disciples' feet, and we are never more honored than when we are permitted to imitate his example.
"For everyone that exalteth himself shall be humbled; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted." — Luke 14:11 (ASV)
There is a conspiracy of heaven and earth and hell to put down proud people: neither the good nor the bad, the highest nor the lowest, can endure those who are self-exalted; but if you are willing to take your right place, which is probably the lowest, you will soon find honor among your brothers and sisters.
"And he said to him also that had bidden him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, nor thy kinsmen, nor rich neighbors; lest haply they also bid thee again, and a recompense be made thee." — Luke 14:12 (ASV)
Our Saviour, you see, keeps to one line of instruction. It was a feast, so he used the feast to teach another lesson.
It is always well, when people's minds are running in a certain direction, to make use of that particular current. When a feast is uppermost in the minds of people, it is no use starting another subject.
So the Saviour rides upon the back of the banquet, making it his steed. Note his advice to his host: "Try to avoid doing that for which you will be recompensed. If you are rewarded for it, the transaction is over; but if not, then it stands recorded in the book of God, and it will be recompensed to you in the great day of account."
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