The Lowest Room #1

Tuesday, October 26, 2021

“But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee” (Luke 14:10 KJV).

What is this “lowest room?” Can we gain any counsel from today’s Scripture?

On a Saturday Sabbath, Christ Jesus was invited to eat at the house of a chief Pharisee (verse 1). After the Lord performs a healing miracle (verses 2-6)—gendering great animosity from his snobbish, coldhearted, religious detractors—He continues exposing unbelief and other forms of wickedness in Israel.

Read The Parable of the Great Supper (which actually spans to verse 24): “[7] And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them, [8] 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; [9] 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. [10] But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. [11] For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”

Remember, this was spoken in the house of a Pharisee (verse 1)—a strict, ascetic, works-religionist obsessed with rules and regulations. Many conceited Pharisees are undoubtedly present. “But all their works they do for to be seen of men:…. and love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,…” (Matthew 23:5,6). “Beware of the scribes, which love… and the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts:…” (Mark 12:38,39). “Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love… the chief rooms at feasts;…” (Luke 20:46). Jesus is witnessing this firsthand in the context of today’s Scripture….