Are you one of the rich and holy?

Jesus ate with bad guys and women, but he also ate with the good guys of society. And sometime's a dinner's just a dinner, with time to talk, laugh, maybe heal someone, tell a story... So, welcome to the table!

(70) Eating with the rich and holy

Jesus doesn’t run away from those who might challenge him. He doesn’t stick to his own sort of people. Instead he accepts invitations, invites questions, offers lessons tailored to his audience, and even makes people laugh!—a friend, not an enemy. In today’s passage he goes for a meal with a ruler of the Pharisees. Read Luke 14:1-6. The meal probably takes place in the courtyard of a great house, open to envious passers-by, and a sick man is in the crowd. Does Jesus bring the sick man with him, or does the sick man come to Jesus? (Some interpreters say the Pharisees brought him, but that would be very strange in their culture.)

1.       What’s the difference between causing offense and refusing to avoid causing offense? Which does Jesus do?

2.       In verse 3, why does Jesus ask the Pharisees what’s lawful? Why is it important to show respect, even when we think someone’s wrong?

3.       How would they have justified rescuing a donkey or an ox?

a.       Could the sick man wait for healing?

b.      Why doesn’t Jesus want a sick man to wait for healing?

Jesus tells a story perfectly tailored to where they are—a dinner-party story. Read Luke 14:7-11. Have you ever wondered where Jesus was sitting at this table? Guest of honor (head), guest to be challenged (middle), afterthought?

1.       If Jesus is the special guest, he’s probably sitting by the host, and someone else probably did have to give up their seat to him. How easily do we feel like the guest of honor in the way we direct our lives—how willingly do we give up the most important seat to Jesus?

2.       These verses might make the insecure feel like they always have to stand at the back, but is Jesus talking to the insecure? Should we always hide silently at the back of the crowd?

3.       What does verse 11 mean to you? What’s the difference between exalting yourself and accepting praise?

He’s got their attention. The Pharisees are listening, and eating. Read Luke 14:12-15. Will eating bread there (or here) with Jesus necessarily imply an invitation to bread in the Kingdom?

And now he tells another story. Read Luke 14:16-24.

1.       We hear the story read in serious tones. But what if we imagine a great storyteller reciting this tale over a delicious banquet with friends? How does it change the flavor of what we read?

2.       Matthew 22:1-6 has Jesus telling a similar story much closer to his death. How is Matthew’s version different, and why might that be?

3.       As kids, we had a song based on this parable, but we often sang “I have bought me a wife, I have married a cow.” Were we being disrespectful, or was our version in keeping with Luke’s version of the story?

a.       What’s the difference between respect for Scripture and enjoyment of Scripture?

4.       Read Luke 14:21. Who might be standing around outside the courtyard, as well as the (cured) man with dropsy?

5.       Read Matthew 22:7-10.  What has changed?

6.       Read Luke 14:22-23. Even those not standing close by might be invited. Who might this mean to Jesus’ listeners?

7.       Read Luke 14:24. If we imagine that the guests have been laughing so far, what does this last line do?

Matthew’s story ends differently, but we’ll look at that later. Meanwhile, adding salt to the last bite of dinner at this present feast perhaps, read Luke 14:34-35. Who was in danger of losing their salty flavor here? Are we in danger too?