JW subtitle extractor

Choices—from the very young to the old,
we are faced with choices
almost every waking moment:
what to do, what to say.
It seems each step in life demands
that we pick one thing over another,
and with those choices
come consequences.
So how do we make wise decisions?
Perhaps an illustration that Jesus gave
could help us.
In the first century, a common way of dining
was for guests to recline on couches
arranged in a U-shape,
with a central table in the middle.
The Romans called this kind of arrangement
a triclinium,
meaning “room with three couches.”
But it wasn’t just a dining area.
It also revealed
the social hierarchy at the time.
For example,
one couch represented
the lowest place of honor.
Another was considered
the middle in recognition.
And then finally, there was a couch
that accommodated
the guest of highest distinction.
Now, the specific spot
where each guest reclined
also was viewed
with a different degree of favor.
The person dining to your left
was considered with greater regard
than the person to your right.
For example,
notice the usual location
of the host in this image.
Now, the highest position of honor
for any invited guest
was to be placed
directly on the left side of the host,
as highlighted in this image.
Now, this is where it gets interesting.
You see, it was the guest
who chose the spot where he would recline,
but there was a catch.
At Luke 14:1,
we find Jesus
invited to the home of a Pharisee
on the Sabbath for a meal
along with other men versed in the Law,
and they were all watching Jesus closely.
But who was watching whom?
Let’s see as we pick up the account
at Luke 14:7.
It says: “He [Jesus]
“then told the invited men an illustration
“when he noticed how they were choosing
“the most prominent places for themselves.
“He said to them:
“‘When you are invited by someone
to a marriage feast,
do not recline in the most prominent place.’”
Why not?
Well, here comes the catch.
“Perhaps someone more distinguished than you
“may also have been invited.
“Then the one who invited you both
will come and say to you,
“‘Let this man have your place.’
“Then you will proceed with shame
to take the lowest place.”
Ouch!
Notice that the host does not indicate
which place you should now take
but simply the one you need to vacate.
Now you have to choose again,
and as indicated in Jesus’ illustration,
we find ourselves
seeking the lowest place this time
so as to save ourselves
any further embarrassment or shame.
Well, the 54 of you
sitting in these front rows
have made many choices, good ones,
that have led to your being here today.
But here’s the thing:
There are many more decisions
ahead of you to be made.
So how can we be sure
that those decisions are wise ones?
Let’s go back to Jesus’ illustration
in Luke chapter 14
because therein he provides a key
to making wise decisions.
Let’s pick it up at verse 10,
Luke 14:10.
He said: “But when you are invited,
“go and recline in the lowest place,
“so that when the man who invited you comes,
“he will say to you,
‘Friend, go on up higher.’
“Then you will have honor
“in front of all your fellow guests.
“For everyone who exalts himself
will be humbled,
and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
So, what’s the key to making wise decisions?
Humility.
When humility is driving the choices
that we make,
then what follows is honor
instead of embarrassment.
Jehovah has given you
the marvelous gift of free will.
And he wants you
to use your power of choice in a right way.
For instance,
if you are receiving a new assignment
in another country,
with what attitude will you enter?
Will you ride in like Jesus
on a donkey, a humble beast of burden,
with a humble attitude to match?
Or will you burst onto the scene
like a majestic stallion,
capturing the attention of everyone?
What if you are returning to your home branch
and when you get there, well, let’s just say,
maybe you don’t feel like any seat of honor
has been rolled out for you?
Will you return
as the lost son
in another of Jesus’ illustrations
—humble and willing to take on
any assignment given you?
Or will you perhaps feel
that your Gilead training
entitles you to expanded responsibilities?
Will you happily choose the lowest place,
or will you secretly covet the highest?
Remember, the choice is yours.
Of course, based on what we have
observed of you these last five months,
we have every confidence
that you will make the right choice.
So continue to use
whatever authority given to you
to help and support those
entrusted in your care.
Make it your decision to be a force for good.
If you do, you will enrich the lives
of those with whom you come into contact,
just like Jesus did.
Recall his words at Matthew 11:28,
the beautiful invitation there.
At Matthew 11:28,
Jesus said:
“Come to me,
all you who are toiling and loaded down.”
Notice that Jesus invites all people,
including those with problems.
He didn’t feel like
they were too much to deal with.
He didn’t try to avoid them.
No.
Instead, he says in verse 29:
“Take my yoke upon you
and learn from me.”
Now at the time, there was a single yoke
that placed the entire burden on one,
and there was a double yoke
that shared the burden between two.
Now, which yoke do you think
Jesus had in mind?
We know which one he was referring to.
What he was really saying was,
‘Get under my yoke with me.’
So for you brothers,
when you get to your assignment,
don’t just hand out tasks or projects.
Share in them.
Jesus then makes the statement:
“For I am mild-tempered
and lowly in heart.”
In other words,
this wasn’t a veneer that Jesus put on.
It was who he was.
And then he goes on to say:
“And you will find refreshment
for yourselves.”
So for you sisters,
can you look for opportunities
to refresh others
as you work along with them?
We know that you will.
We know it.
So to conclude,
let’s go back to the example of Jesus.
Just being in his presence
and interacting with him
made others feel seen, appreciated,
and refreshed.
And you graduates can choose
to have this very same effect on others
if you remember and apply
the lesson of the triclinium.
Jesus used this particular illustration
when teaching his followers
the need for humility,
that beautiful quality
that will draw others to you.
And as you let humility
govern your thought process
when making decisions,
honor will follow you wherever you go.
So where will you sit?
Remember, the choice is yours.

Richard Chilton: The Choice Is Yours—159th Gilead Graduation