Consider this scenario. You’ve invited the 10 most important people from church to dine with Jesus, people whom you would consider VIPs—your pastor, elders, deacons, or lay leaders, for example. As host, you’re in charge of the seating arrangement. Assuming you have a round table that seats 12 people, where will Jesus sit? And since Jesus’ left- and right-hand sides are places of highest honor, whom would you assign to sit next to Him?
As the disciples entered the upper room to eat the Passover meal, they were all intent on sitting in the places of honor. This was not the first time they had fought over who was numero uno (Matthew 20:20-24; Mark 9:33- 35,10:35-37; Luke 9:46). And the jostling surfaced yet again in the midst of the Passover meal (Luke 22:20,24), barely hours before Jesus was crucified.
It was not uncommon for Jesus’ disciples to vie with one another over who would sit at His right and left. But as Christ’s followers, we’re to be different. Those who are truly great Christian examples take the lowest rank and become like a servant (v.26). Jesus Himself “got up from the table, took off His robe, wrapped a towel around His waist, and poured water into a basin. Then He began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel He had around Him” (John 13:4-5). Paul later commented, “Though He was God . . . He gave up His divine privileges; He took the humble position of a slave” (Philippians 2:6-7). Jesus showed us what it takes to be truly great.
When people look at you, do they see a leader in high position exerting authority? Or do they see a servant serving in humility?
More:
• Matthew 20:20-27
• Luke 9:46-47
• Philippians 2:3-8
Next:
Revisit the dinner scenario in today’s article. Where would you be sitting? Would you be sitting on Jesus’ right—in the place of honor? Why or why not?
sooski on March 10, 2010 at 7:51 am
In this world of first is better, it is a struggle to take the best seat offered by Jesus himself – the one next to him, kneeling on the ground serving others. It is there that we can truly live the life God intended for us to live. I want to ask myself the questions at the end of your devotional every day. They are a good heart check for staying on track. Thank you.
Gary4orphans on March 10, 2010 at 10:43 am
This is kind of a fun exercise. OK, I’m the one in charge of seating and I’ve got my pastor and others coming to the dinner. Well, I would not be going to “his” church if the pastor “allowed” me to put in on the left or right of Jesus. My pastor would recognize the principle of being last and would be appropriately offended if I put him in that awkward situation. I’m having fun here OK? So what to do? I would think putting up tent cards at each seat location with the notation “seating will be assigned by Jesus” would be the way to go. But I am in charge. Great, my decision is to defer the seating order to Jesus. That’s my decision. I get to decide that. My decision is to leave that to Jesus. What’s wrong with that? (Smile)