At first glance the advice Jesus gave on taking a spot at a banquet seemed to just be common sense. Society was very regimented and social standing was incredibly important. One who was more “important” than another person would receive a better seat at a banquet. Class A celebrities got to sit closer to the host than class B celebrities. Even if the celebrity status was based on the number of sheep in their flock.

So when Jesus told folks they should take a seat of inferior status so they would not get bumped down and embarrassed, it sounded like just smart, social maneuvering. No one wants to end up red-faced because they are being demoted publicly. And who wouldn’t want to be singled out by the host and brought up to a higher seat? That Jesus is a pretty shrewd operator, it would seem.…