The Backstory of an Understatement...

Demetrius couldn't believe his luck. He had put in his time and finally it had paid off. His mentor had just invited him over to his house for dinner. Now, Demetrius had been to his teacher's house for dinner many times. But this time was different. His mentor, Simeon, had invited Jesus to his house. Demetrius had tried to see Jesus on several occasions, but each time the crowd had been too great. Plus, he had to be careful. If the wrong person associated him with Jesus, it could mean bad things for his career at the synagogue. He figured he'd be safe here, since Simeon was a high ranking official in the synagogue.

When he crossed the street he found a familiar scene. People pushing and shoving, even bartering, just trying to get inside. A small crowd was gathered around a man who they say had just been healed by Jesus. Demetrius furrowed his brow.

"I thought this Jesus guy was supposed to be religious. Doesn't he know you can't work on the sabbath?" Demetrius thought.

Demetrius shoved his way to the door and shouted for Simeon.

"Simeon, I'm here, let me in!" he shouted.

Simeon heard his name. He had been busy making sure the food was going to be ready, that he hadn't even paid attention to his guests. He looked and saw Demetrius at the door.

"Let Demetrius in." he told his attendants.

Simeon was glad to see Demetrius. "Go and see to my guests. There is a problem in the kitchen that is requiring my attention right now."

Demetrius tried to quiet the crowd. "Settle down and have a seat. The food will be ready soon."

But it was no use. People were shouting and pushing. A small argument had erupted at the head of the table over who was going to sit next to Jesus. Demetrius felt confident that he deserved the spot since Simeon was his mentor and had specifically invited him. Plus, he really wanted to ask Jesus some questions to see about his legitimacy. He began shoving his way forward. He even got a little more physical than he thought he could. But no matter what he tried, there seemed to be someone a little stronger than him in front.

He felt a hand on his shoulder. A rabbi he didn't recognize pulled him aside and gave him this advice:

"Sometimes it's better not to be at the head. What if you sat right next to Simeon and then Simeon's mentor walked through the door? Where will you sit then? Instead, head down to the foot of the table. Then, when Simeon's done in the kitchen and sees the foolishness at the head of the table, he'll ask what you are doing all the way at the end. Then you'll be honored among his guests."

Just then Simeon came into the room and it immediately settled down. The Rabbi Demetrius didn't recognized walked up to him and gave him a kiss on the cheek. He then turned to the crowd and said:

"The next time you have a dinner, don't invite each other. If you do, you'll only receive an invite to the next dinner party. Instead, invite those who can't afford a dinner, who can't work for food, those who can not pay you back. Then, your reward will be at the resurrection, in the Kingdom of God. And you will be at the head of the table."

Immediately Demetrius realized who the rabbi was. He understood his advice was much more than a way to the to the head of the table. He had given him a lesson on life. Demetrius took his place near the end of the table and shouted, "What a privilege it would be to have a share in the Kingdom of God."

Luke 14:7-15