Dinner For Eight I like Luke. He was a great reporter of the life and meaning of Jesus Christ. I also like him because he reports of Jesus’ many parables. He above the other three editors of the Gospels (Mathew, Mark and John) heavily emphasizes Jesus’ salvation of not just the soul, but of the mind and body.
You know what else is cool about Luke? You can tell that Jesus was definitely into eating! In fact, Jesus is either eating at, going to, or coming from a meal 19 times! Count them!
The story of the banquet in Luke 14 is about hospitality, it’s about worthiness and unworthiness, it’s about inclusiveness and exclusiveness, the broken and the unbroken, it about who’s in and who’s out. More important, adhering to this passage is a matter of life and death! Why, because every time we ignore the fact that Jesus is about the salvation of the mind, the body and the spirit, Someone starves to death. When we do not take this seriously, someone is going to die either spiritually, mentally or physically! If we really believed in this, wouldn’t everything we did for God be handled with excellence? Would we not want to do everything in our power to cloth and feed the widows, the orphans, the down and outers? Wouldn’t we do everything we can to share what Christ has done for us to the lost and abandoned people that are our brothers and sisters? Everyone is invited to the table of Jesus Christ – everyone. Imagine these broken plates that were thrown in the trash are our lives. This plate that belongs to Christ is perfect, without blemish. We must bring our broken, jagged selves to him, so that he can make us whole. Back to the banquet at the Pharisee’s house -- everyone is freaking out about the laws. They ask, “do we heal on the Sabbath or not?” “Is this a life or death situation or a social problem?” Should we adhere to the laws or should we go with what Christ is saying and doing? What is the penalty for not following the way of Christ?
It’s difficult for us to accept our way of thinking and the teachings of Christ. I often look at the Pharisees as being insensitive, self-righteous, religious extremists. But you know they had struggles too. They were broken just as much as the poor. Just like a broken plate. How often as church goers, do we ignore Jesus’ invitation to dinner, because we did not want to be associated with those people, or we didn’t agree politically, or because there was change in the church, or maybe we were just too busy because God bought us a boat and we needed to try it out on the weekend? Listen to what John Wesley said in his sermon, the Duty of Constant communion. "Do this in remembrance of me." Luke 22:19 It is no wonder that men who have no fear of God should never think of doing this. But it is strange that it should be neglected by any that do fear God, and desire to save their souls; And yet nothing is more common. One reason why many neglect it is, they are so much afraid of "eating and drinking unworthily," that they never think how much greater the danger is when they do not eat or drink it at all. This passage is about being invited to the banquet and not attending, because we can get so caught in the act of ritual, that it becomes an idol, and in doing so, we miss the banquet, we miss the Reign of God that is standing before us.. for the kingdom of God is a party! It’s about not inviting others because they are not like As followers of Jesus Christ, as true believers of Him, we must painfully discern how to feed the hungry in:
Amen Jesus is Coming to Dinner Note: I saw this drama up at Saint Paul School of Theology during my first month of seminary. It made a huge impact on me. While I have modified the script quite a bit, the point is the same. None of us are any more worthy than the next person when it comes to gathering at the banquet table with Jesus Christ. I was never the same after I watched this drama. I pray that you will never be the same as well. Please share it with others whenever you have the chance! Grace and Peace, The Play Woman lovingly sets the table. Plates are already set. She’s setting out glasses, utensils, etc. She’s quietly humming or singing to herself. Satan enters. “Whatcha doin?” Woman – She is not startled by this character. It’s not really evident that she knows who this really is. “Oh hello, Jesus is coming to dinner tonight, so I’m getting ready for this very special meal. Would you like to help? Satan – slowly walks around table fingering everything. “Sure, you bet I’ll help.” Woman – follows Satan around table, wiping everything off with a clean towel that he touches. Satan – after walking around table one time he stops off at first place setting. Is this place setting for Joe? Woman – well yes. Satan – Smokin Joe? Woman – Uh yes, I guess you could call him smoking Joe. I mean he does smoke cigarettes from time to time. Is that a problem? Satan – Is that a problem, you ask? Well I guess it’s not if you don’t mind some guy blowing a big ol smoke ring into the face of Jesus Christ of all people. Woman – Gee, you’re right. That could be bad. Do you think I should just ask him to not come? Satan – I think that would be a good idea. Here, allow me. Satan removes Joe’s plate from table and drops it in the trashcan with the block. CRASH!!! Goes the plate as it hits the cement block in the can. Woman – Looking startled, Well, I wasn’t expecting that. But I guess it’s for the best, I mean after all, it is Jesus that’s coming to dinner. We need to be at our very best. Big smile. Satan – walking around the table again. Yes, we must be at our very best, which leads me to ask this question. Satan points at Dominic’s place setting. I see you’ve invited Dominic to this dinner. Woman – nervously says, Uh yes, that’s right. Why is there something I need to be aware of? Satan – Well, they don’t call him dirty Dominic for nothing. He doesn’t bath very often; about once every other week you could say. But what’s really dirty is his mouth. That man can cuss like a sailor. In fact, he’s been known to teach a sailor or two how to speak four letter words with artistry. Woman – She’s back to setting the table. Maybe Dominic will show up spic ‘n span, and watch his language. I mean, it is Jesus he’s coming to see you know. Satan – shrugs his shoulders. Sure, that could happen, and seas can part. Do you really want to take the chance? Woman – Oh, you’re right. We don’t need it to smell around here. Who am I trying to fool? Satan – holding Dominic’s plate. May I? He looks towards woman. Woman – nods head yes. CRASH!!! Woman - rearranging table settings. I’m sure going to miss those two, but at least there’s more elbow room. Satan – nibbling on some cheese. Yes, that’s the spirit. We gotta think positive in these matters. He’s still walking around the table. He stops at Gilda’s plate. Uh oh, who have we here? Say, you didn’t invite Gilda did you? Woman – a little agitated, What’s wrong with Gilda? Satan – You don’t know the story of Gilda? She talks too much! She won’t stop talking. You give her one word edge wise and you’ll never get to talk ever again! It’s a good thing she wasn’t around when Jesus gave the sermon on the mount, because it never would have happened. She would have interrupted him as soon as he said blessed are… Of course, you can still have her come over, but then again it’s not my party. Hope she doesn’t start gossiping about Rick and Jessica again. Woman – She’s holding Gilda’s plate in her hand over the trash can. Why what could she possibly say about Rick and Jessica? Satan – Well, what she says is not very nice. Woman – What does she say? Satan – She says that they’re … He whispers in her ear Woman – looks appalled. Why that’s a terrible thing to say! She drops Gilda’s plate in the trash can. Quickly goes back to the table to re-set it. Satan - Huh, that’s interesting. He points to two place settings next to each other. Speaking of Rick and Jessica, look who you have coming to dinner! How rich! That’s funny. Woman – Looking panicked. What Gilda says about them isn’t true is it? Satan – Oh yea… they are. Woman – grabs Rick and Jessica’s plates and throws them in the trash. Satan – Smiling, eats another piece of cheese and points to another place setting. Hmmm, who do we have here? Dancy? You’ve invited Dancy to dinner with Jesus? Woman – Yes, I’ve invited Dancy to dinner with Jesus. Why what’s her problem? Satan – Well there’s a reason they call her Dancy. She’s a dancer! Woman – You mean… Satan – Exactly. Shall I? He lifts plate up. Woman – No let me! Drops plate in can. Woman – standing in front of her plate. I guess it’s just going to be me and Jesus for dinner tonight. What a shame, I spent a lot of extra time in the kitchen, but we simply can’t have those kind of people coming to dinner to eat with Jesus. It just wouldn’t be right. Oh well. Me and Jesus will have more to talk about on a personal level. It’s only fitting since Jesus is my PERSONAL Lord and Savior, so it’s only fitting that we should be alone together. Satan – What do you mean, you and Jesus will be eating together tonight? Do you honestly believe you’re worthy enough? Woman – Well of course I am! I’m not like those other people! I don’t sin like them. I’m a very good person. I never cause any trouble. Satan – You know, you’re right. You’re not like those people. But uh, you are a very judgmental person. Do you really think you should be eating dinner with Jesus? Woman – stares at the ground. No, I guess I’m not. Looks like Jesus will be eating dinner alone again tonight. Satan – takes woman’s plate and hands it to her. Won’t you do the honor? CRASH -end- |