From time to time, we see Jesus hanging out with the Pharisees and experts of the law. We sometimes think they were Jesus’ enemy, but I believe that he really loved them and wanted so much for them to get past their blindness brought on by their brilliant studied minds. Every now and then, we see a glimmer of hope in one or two of them. In this incident, Jesus is at the house of a prominent Pharisee and asks the question, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?” Luke 14:3 A man suffering from dropsy is standing there. I find it interesting that they did not answer his question but rather stood there waiting to see what he would do. Of course Jesus heals the man. Jesus continues to teach them based on their refinements of the law, “If one of you has a son or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull him out?” Luke 14:5 And they remain silent – very unusual for this crowd.
Knowing his audience well, Jesus begins to tell a couple of stories. First he talks about places of honor. Pharisees and experts of the law expected to have the seats of honor. As they jockeyed for position at the table, Jesus told them it was better to assume someone greater than you has been invited to the banquet. Save yourself embarrassment by choosing a seat further down the table and let your host invite you to move up. “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 14:11
Jesus then takes it a step further. Not only should they wait for others to honor them instead of honoring themselves, he next tells them that when they plan a party, it should not be in the interest of moving up in social status. In fact, inviting each other back and forth to prestigious events so they could look good had no value in God’s eyes. Rather, Jesus instructed them to “invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind…” Luke 14:13 What do those people have in common? They are all in need of others to help them. They are not able to negotiate life on their own. And in that day, they would have all been economically challenged. A crippled, lame or blind person had no way to make a living and provide for themselves. Jesus was pushing the socially elite to open their eyes to the needs around them – to quit patting themselves on the back and start caring about others.
“When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, ‘Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.’” Luke 14:15 I wonder what was going on in his heart. Was he getting Jesus message? Or was he trying to ‘look good’ to Jesus and impress him with his comment? Were there some there who were at least distant followers of Jesus?
Whatever he was thinking, Jesus uses the opportunity to launch into another story – this one about a great banquet where many guests were invited. When the banquet was ready, he sent his servant out to tell the invited guests that the meal was ready. The responses came back: too much work to do; need to try out my new equipment; just got married and want to stay home tonight. The person giving the banquet became angry and sent his servant out to bring in all those people who knew they had needs – the cripples, the blind, the poor, the lame, and then even the strangers wandering in the area. He was going to fill his table until there wouldn’t be room for any of his distracted ‘friends’ who chose other things.
“Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41-42 Is this banquet story the same thing? We have been invited to be a guest at Jesus’ table. There is a feast awaiting us. Are we too busy (even with good things) to take time to sit at Jesus’ feet and learn from him? How long will Jesus keep inviting those of us who have grown up with his teachings all around us to come to his feast he has waiting for us. At what point will he say, “You’ve made your choice and you do not want to come. Therefore, I will give the feast that was prepared for you to others who desire to eat.”
I wonder if that is what is happening when I see the church growing rapidly and I hear of miracles happening in parts of the world where the message of Jesus’ love and salvation is new and we sit here in our comfy churches asking, “Why doesn’t God still do miracles and make himself known here?” Is it because we have chosen to not eat at his table? Are we too busy with ‘life’ to experience true life in Jesus Christ? What could happen if we chose day by day to show up at his table and participate in the feast he has prepared for us? What are we missing because we don’t understand the importance or urgency of the feast?
Lord, please remove the scales from my eyes. Help me to see the feast you have prepared for me and my need to eat. Amen.
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