There is, in each of us, an inherent, essential need to “find our place” in the social structures of this world.  Whether we are sitting at the elementary school lunch table on the first day of school, or trying out for the high school basketball team or attending a dinner party in our new neighborhood, we all know at least a little of what it’s like to seek, even struggle, to “find our place” – to belong, to fit in, to be accepted, to climb the social ladder.  In just about every human circle of relationships – at school, at work, in our families and neighborhoods – there are those who have social power and those who seek to attain it.  Those who have it will often lord it over those who do not, sometimes in very cruel ways; those who do not have it will often go to great lengths to get it – what we might call, “jockeying for position.”

This so-called rat race has been going on since the beginning of time.  Even Luke, in our story for this week, reports that Jesus, unwittingly, found himself in the middle of it while on his journey toward Jerusalem.  Attending a dinner party among the religious elites and the local socialites, he notices how all the guests seem to scramble for the seats of honor.  Jesus turns the occasion into a teaching moment on the virtues of humility and the incredible freedom that comes from serving those who cannot repay you.  With Jesus, scrambling to “find our place” or “climb the ladder” is pointless, because even if you win the rat race, you’re still a rat.

So what, for Jesus, is the alternative?  Instead of jockeying for the best seat, or scrambling for the last seat, make room for a new one, and give it away.  In his presence, there is room for everyone at the table, nobody cares who sits where, and there is quite enough food to go around.  This is how we know we’re sitting at the right table.

See you Sunday,

Rev. Mark