1 When Jesus went into the house of one of the rulers of the Pharisees on a Sabbath to eat bread, they were watching him.

7 He spoke a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they chose the best seats, and said to them, 8 “When you are invited by anyone to a marriage feast, don’t sit in the best seat, since perhaps someone more honorable than you might be invited by him, 9 and he who invited both of you would come and tell you, ‘Make room for this person.’ Then you would begin, with shame, to take the lowest place. 10 But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes, he may tell you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. 11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

Luke 14:1, 7-11 - World English Bible

After Jesus challenged his Pharisee host on the question of a Sabbath healing, he offered advice on banquet manners. In these verses, he spoke to the guest. Like many events today, social dinners could be opportunities for social “networking,” power politics and business deals. People gathered to see and be seen. And, like banquets today, where one sat could make a difference. In the time of Jesus, the most important people sat close to the host, while the least important sat furthest away. In a honor-shame society like that of first century Palestine, importance conferred honor. If someone tried to sit above his place in the social peaking order, he risked shame if the host asked him to sit in a lower seat. Better, according to Jesus, to sit at the lowest seat so the host will honor the person. Notice the subtle shift from banquet manners to the Lord's philosophy of leadership. Lead through humility and service. Those who were humble would be exalted. As a corollary to his moral, the disciple should act at every social event as if he attended the banquet of the Kingdom.

How can you see the Kingdom in the dinners you attend?