One Sabbath … Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee …
When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honour at the table, he told them this parable: “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honour, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this man your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place … For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbours … But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind …”
(verses 1, 7-9, 11-13)
-
On first reading this passage, I couldn’t help but ask myself: Why is Jesus bothering to instruct the Pharisees on good manners, humility, and generosity? After all, these men have bigger issues. They have expressed ongoing hostility towards Jesus, the very one who has come to save them. They are rejecting their Messiah. He came to his own, but they have not received him. So, why does Jesus bother with these lesser issues?
Before getting to an answer, it should be noted that the practical teaching here to both the dinner guests and the dinner host is crucial instruction for true kingdom living. Don’t exalt yourself, Jesus says; instead, live a life of humility. It’s the right stance at a wedding feast; it’s the right stance in the whole of life. Further, live a life of generosity. Don’t simply bless those who can bless you in return. Rather, be generous towards those who have no ability to pay you back. That’s the lifestyle of the kingdom.
These are principles that challenge us daily.
But on reflection, it seems Jesus is actually addressing bigger issues also. Luke prefaces the instruction to the guests by telling us that Jesus “told them this parable.” The practical teaching about seating at the wedding feast is a picture of something bigger.Those who take “the place of honour” at the table are asserting their own importance, rank, and position. But it’s actually the perspective of the host that truly matters. He is the one who determines the seating. He invites those sitting lower down to come and sit higher up. Rather than self-assertiveness, it is humility that gains access to a seat of honour.
There’s a kingdom principle here. These Pharisees and teachers of the law were proud of their own righteousness; they were convinced they had earned access to a seat at the table, in their own right. Humble yourself, Jesus says. That’s the point of entry to the kingdom. It’s the necessary attitude for receiving Jesus.
I wonder if Jesus isn’t intentionally highlighting another kingdom principle as he gives instruction to the dinner’s host. The very attitude he commands the host to adopt is Jesus’ own attitude in opening the door to the kingdom. He welcomes all who could never pay the price themselves. All who enter in – you and I included – are poor, crippled, lame, blind. In instructing the dinner host, Jesus portrays his own open-hearted generosity. That’s how the kingdom works.
Which is how this whole passage starts. Jesus accepts a dinner invitation from a prominent Pharisee, a member of the religious group that was already conspiring against him. Indeed, we’re told that “he was being carefully watched” by the assembled Pharisees and teachers of the law at that very dinner. Why did Jesus accept the invitation into such a hostile environment?
Why? Because he still held out hope that even these Pharisees would accept his invitation into the kingdom. His generosity is great. His love is enduring. It’s the very reason he came in the first place.
-
Lord Jesus, thank you that the invitation to a seat at the table is all yours. Your generosity overflows.
I acknowledge my ongoing need to humble myself, not trusting in my own efforts but simply relying on yours. I receive your generous grace again. Praise your name.
-
Reflect:
In what areas of your life are you still asserting your own worth, ability, rank rather than relying fully on Jesus? Confess it. Trust Jesus once more.
-
Photo by Fabio Sangregorio on Unsplash
Komentarze