8-31-25 “The Upside-Down Seating Chart”

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“The Upside-Down Seating Chart”

            I want to start with something funny I found on a website: A pastor once went to a wedding reception. When he arrived, he noticed the head table—beautifully decorated, flowers, candles, and right in the middle, a huge chocolate fountain. Without hesitation, he thought, “Well, surely they saved me a spot up there!” So, he made his way to the head table, sat down, and started imagining which dessert he’d try first.

A few minutes later, the wedding coordinator came over, leaned in politely, and whispered, “Um, Pastor…this table is for the bride, groom, and their parents. Your seat is…right back there—by the kitchen door.”

So, the pastor had to do the “walk of humility” all the way back to the very last table. The only good news? He had first dibs on the dinner rolls when they came out of the kitchen!

Last Sunday, I talked about the Sabbath. I said the Sabbath is God’s gift to us:

• A time to rest in His love.
• A time to be healed and freed.
• A time to worship, to rejoice, to stand tall again.

Today’s scripture begins: “On one occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the Sabbath, they were watching him closely.” It was Sabbath day again—a Sabbath meal, the kind where everyone tried to make a good impression. The Pharisee’s house was buzzing with voices, the smell of roasted lamb, bread, and spices filling the air. And Jesus was there—watching.

Have you ever been to a wedding or a big banquet with assigned seats? Maybe little name cards on the table? You walk in, searching for your name. Is it near the front—or the back? Near the family—or with people you don’t know? How did you feel when you finally found your seat?

Last year, I was invited to Wendell and Maxine’s Christmas party. When I arrived, there was a long banquet table. Some people were already seated, and I was standing, unsure where to sit. Then Maxine approached and said, “Thanks for coming, Pastor Jenny. Your place is here.” She guided me to my seat. On the plate was a pretty card with my name and a beautiful handmade keychain. I felt respected. I felt I belonged. From that experience, I learned an important lesson: it’s wise to wait for guidance from the host before choosing a seat. Otherwise, you might sit somewhere and later have to move.

In Jesus’ day, there weren’t name cards. Guests picked their own seats. You can imagine the scramble—everyone trying to get as close as possible to the host, the places of honor. It was a silent competition of status. Everybody wanted the best place. And Jesus noticed. He always noticed.

 

Jesus says: “When you’re invited, don’t rush to the best seat. Take the humble place—because the host may just surprise you. God’s kingdom is like a banquet with an upside-down seating chart: the last become first, and the humble are lifted up.”

We know that scramble, don’t we?

• At work, when promotions come up.
• At school, when kids choose lunch tables.
• Even in church, when we wonder who’s noticed, who gets recognized.

The world trains us to push ahead, to secure our spot. But Jesus says: In His kingdom, the chart is flipped. Take the humble place—because God lifts the lowly.

Then Jesus takes it a step further: “When you throw a banquet, don’t invite your friends or your wealthy neighbors—because they can pay you back. Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind. Then you’ll be blessed, because they cannot repay you. And you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” In other words, not only does God flip the seating chart, He rewrites the guest list.

The people we often overlook—God sets them in the seat of honor. This reminds me of when I brought a discretionary fund budget to Ad Council to help the homeless and those in need. Some members worried that if we helped, people would keep coming or misuse the funds. I told them, the church should open its doors to those in need. That is the reason the church exists. We help, pray for, and send them with God’s peace. Finally, we approved the fund. Those who can’t give financially are still our neighbors to love and care for.

I remember a church fellowship once when a new person arrived—clothes worn, unsure if they belonged. While others filled the “good seats” with friends, one person quietly left their place to sit with the newcomer. That guest didn’t have much to give, but you could see it in their eyes: I’ve been noticed. I belong. That moment looked a whole lot like the kingdom of God.

And isn’t that what Jesus himself did? He could have taken the highest place in heaven. Instead, He came down, took the lowest seat—washing feet, eating with sinners, dying on the cross. Philippians 2:7 says, “[He] emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in human likeness.” Verse 9 continues: “Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name above every name.” Because He humbled Himself, God raised Him up. In God’s kingdom, the seating chart is upside-down: the first become last, and the last become first.

So, what does this mean for us?

• We don’t have to scramble for honor. Our place at God’s table is secure.
• We look around and ask: Who’s sitting alone? Who hasn’t been invited yet?
• We practice stepping down—so someone else can be lifted up.

At God’s banquet, the seating chart is upside-down. The last are first, the lowly are lifted, and the forgotten are honored guests.

Here is the good news: There is a place for you too—reserved not by status, but by God’s grace. This coming winter, think of our neighbors who lack space, warmth, blankets, food, and friends. Take a moment to help them, to be a friend. God calls us to be neighbors to them!

Thanks be to God! Amen!