Luke 14:7-24 | Psalm 23:5b
Jesus sure does a lot surrounding the things of food and dinner tables. He changed water into wine, multiplied food and ate with anyone and everyone. But most notably, he established the Table as a means of remembrance of his death on the cross.
Our means of eating today have fewer and fewer relational components. Meals are too often fast-paced and obligatory. Sitting down to dinner with someone(s) is seen as a luxury, to be scheduled on particular “dates.”
It might be hard to even receive the teachings of Jesus’ table illustrations today because we don’t have a relatable understanding of what he’s talking about.
In a society that has fast food and access to most any food in the world within a few miles of your home…what does Jesus’ focus on food and table have to say to us?
Luke 14:7-24
When Jesus noticed how the guests sought out the best seats at the table, he told them a parable. “When someone invites you to a wedding celebration, don’t take your seat in the place of honor. Someone more highly regarded than you could have been invited by your host. The host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give your seat to this other person.’ Embarrassed, you will take your seat in the least important place. Instead, when you receive an invitation, go and sit in the least important place. When your host approaches you, he will say, ‘Friend, move up here to a better seat.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests. All who lift themselves up will be brought low, and those who make themselves low will be lifted up.”
Then Jesus said to the person who had invited him, “When you host a lunch or dinner, don’t invite your friends, your brothers and sisters, your relatives, or rich neighbors. If you do, they will invite you in return and that will be your reward. Instead, when you give a banquet, invite the poor, crippled, lame, and blind. And you will be blessed because they can’t repay you. Instead, you will be repaid when the just are resurrected.”
When one of the dinner guests heard Jesus’ remarks, he said to Jesus, “Happy are those who will feast in God’s kingdom.”
Jesus replied, “A certain man hosted a large dinner and invited many people. When it was time for the dinner to begin, he sent his servant to tell the invited guests, ‘Come! The dinner is now ready.’ One by one, they all began to make excuses. The first one told him, ‘I bought a farm and must go and see it. Please excuse me.’ Another said, ‘I bought five teams of oxen, and I’m going to check on them. Please excuse me.’ Another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’ When he returned, the servant reported these excuses to his master. The master of the house became angry and said to his servant, ‘Go quickly to the city’s streets, the busy ones and the side streets, and bring the poor, crippled, blind, and lame.’ The servant said, ‘Master, your instructions have been followed and there is still room.’ The master said to the servant, ‘Go to the highways and back alleys and urge people to come in so that my house will be filled. I tell you, not one of those who were invited will taste my dinner.’”
Psalm 23:5b
You set a table for me right in front of my enemies.
Prayer
God,
Help me set the pace of this day. You’re never in a hurry, right? I have a lot to learn.
Give me not just patience, but understanding of a world whose timing doesn’t change. Revolutions around the sun. Rotations undisturbed. Seasons set in regularity. The sun rises and the sun sets. Another day.
Order my life, Lord.
By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.