My grandson recently tried out for a part in the school musical “Willy Wonka.” Immediately we all knew he was too tall to be an Oompa-Loompa, so he read for the lead parts of Willy and one of the Grandfathers. He did well enough to get a call-back after the first audition, and finally the cast list came out. He will be playing the part of a squirrel. Who knew there was a squirrel in that play? I’m assuming that the squirrel is a non-speaking part. I asked my daughter if he was disappointed and she responded that he was very happy to be cast in a part. They had twice as many kids try out as they had parts and he was pleased to be included. Please forgive my Nana-bragging, but I was thrilled with his response. This kind of humility serves kids well as they grow up. While some need to constantly be pushing to the front and be the center of attention, those who have a broader view of the joy of just being part of a team or company will have an easier go of things.

Our Scripture today counsels the same thing. Jesus tells a parable about people who have been invited to attend a banquet. He noticed some were filled with a feeling of self-importance and pushed their way to the front.

Luke 17 (The Message)

^7-9 He went on to tell a story to the guests around the table. Noticing how each had tried to elbow into the place of honor, he said, “When someone invites you to dinner, don’t take the place of honor. Somebody more important than you might have been invited by the host. Then he’ll come and call out in front of everybody, ‘You’re in the wrong place. The place of honor belongs to this man.’ Embarrassed, you’ll have to make your way to the very last table, the only place left.

^10-11 “When you’re invited to dinner, go and sit at the last place. Then when the host comes he may very well say, ‘Friend, come up to the front.’ That will give the dinner guests something to talk about! What I’m saying is, If you walk around all high and mighty, you’re going to end up flat on your face. But if you’re content to be simply yourself, you will become more than yourself.”

There is something beautiful about the way The Message frames this advice. “If you’re content to be simply yourself, you will become more than yourself.” We are all image-bearers of One who is way more important than we will ever be. When we reflect his image to the world, and not our own over-inflated egotism, the world can see that humble Shepherd in us. The fruit of this humility is exhibited though our generosity, our service to others who are sitting way at the low end of the table, our willingness to put someone else’s needs before our own, and our quiet acceptance of playing the squirrel in the school play. Be yourself, even if it is a non-speaking part.

^12-14 Then he turned to the host. “The next time you put on a dinner, don’t just invite your friends and family and rich neighbors, the kind of people who will return the favor. Invite some people who never get invited out, the misfits from the wrong side of the tracks. You’ll be—and experience—a blessing. They won’t be able to return the favor, but the favor will be returned—oh, how it will be returned!—at the resurrection of God’s people.”

Who is Jesus telling you to invite to your table today? Who can you bless with a seat of importance? Which misfits from the wrong side of the tracks need your kindness and attention? Invite them. God will return that favor on the Last Day.

Come to the Table by Kitty Hawk United Methodist Church