082. "Sit Down in the Lowest Seat"

"Sit Down in the Lowest Seat"

(Luke 14:10) "WHEN thou art bidden to a feast, go and sit down in the lowest seat." As we enter the Upper Room where the feast is, we see rugs over the floor and divans or seats like benches all around the walls of the room. The seats nearest the door are very low, just small mattresses or pillows on the floor; the next will be a bit higher; and the ones at the wall just opposite the door where you enter so high that your feet could not reach the floor.

All sit with the feet crossed under them. When a guest arrives he knocks at the door, and a voice from within the rooms calls out, "Who is it?" The person outside replies, "It is I," but gives no name. If the voice is recognized, the door will be opened; if not, it will remain closed. This custom reminds us of Acts 12:13-14, "And as Peter knocked at the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. And when she knew Peter’s voice, she opened not the gate for gladness." At a feast a servant or a son or younger brother shows the guest to the upper room. If the guest is polite, he will seat himself on the lowest seat, and await the arrival of the householder. When the host arrives and finds his guest on the lowest seat, he will compel him to move to a higher one. The custom of the East gives the highest seats to older persons and those of high rank. The relatives, youths, and those of lower standing sit in the lower seats.

Jesus said, "When thou art bidden to a feast, sit down in the lowest seat; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say to thee, Friend, go up higher."