In the 14th Chapter of his gospel, Luke tells the story of an awkward dinner invitation. A prominent Pharisee invited Jesus to supper. Anyone familiar with The Lord, knows you should think twice before asking him over. For example, he will understand your motives. Throughout the Gospels the Pharisees were in an adversarial relationship with Jesus. Ultimately, they conspired to arrest and crucify him. So why would a prominent Pharisee invite him to a dinner party? Commentators have suggested several reasons.
First, Jesus was a popular guy. He’d gathered a following. He’d performed miracles. The Pharisee probably thought he could improve his social status if people saw Jesus was his guest. Of course that didn’t work out. Jesus was barely in the door before he healed a man on the Sabbath, something the Pharisees forbid.
“Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?” Jesus asked. The host nothing said, and the healing happened. He went on to suggest that the host, too, would work on the Sabbath if it was his child (or ox) that fell down the well. Awkward. But probably true.
Another theory is that Jesus was invited because the host hoped to embarrass him. That was thwarted when Jesus told the story of the guest who took a prominent place at dinner. Social status was critical in the world of the Pharisees. Formal meals demonstrated rank and importance in the community. There was no place in the host’s world for humility. He probably assumed Jesus was the same way. He figured Jesus would enter the party and take a place of importance. Then the Pharisee could move Jesus to a lesser place. When Jesus instead took the lowest place, the plan was foiled.
Another possible reason for the invitation is that Jesus was a rock star. It was the rich man’s party. He’d spent the money to entertain everyone so that he, the Pharisee, could be the center of attention. In contrast, Jesus didn’t seek attention; all he had to do was walk in. He healed a man before he even sat down. The other guests waited on his every word. There wasn’t room at the party for two rock stars.
If you’re considering inviting Jesus to supper, you should remember He will expect you to do the right thing. In His time there were elaborate codes of behavior. The Pharisee spent long hours drafting the guest list, acknowledging the important people who had hosted him recently, and considering who he might want to garner an invitation from next week. He wanted to use the dinner party to further his ambitions.
Jesus, though, told the Pharisee, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid” (Luke 14:12 NIV). Everyone at the party knew that was exactly what the host had done. The dinner hall was full of friends, relatives, and rich neighbors. Jesus said, “Invite the poor, the lame, the blind.” That thought never occurred to the Pharisee, but when Jesus said it, everyone knew it was the right thing to do. How embarrassing.
Who are you in this story? Are you the egotistical host trying to get the upper hand by inviting guests who will improve your social standing? Are you the person in need of healing? Maybe you’re the guest who came for the wine and prime rib, but instead got a lesson in humility? Or are you the person who, like Jesus, does the right thing?
What if you invite Jesus to lunch at your place? Will you invite him because you want everyone to know you’re friends? Or is there something you have to ask him? Do you need a lesson in humility? Or do you just want to listen? And what will you serve him? Do you have wine? (He likes wine.) And who else will you invite? Your usual guests? Or is there room for some of the people Jesus treasures? Think about it and get back to me.