A Different Kind of Feast

Sept. 1, 2019 | St. Mark’s

Gospel – Luke 14:1, 7-14

Let’s set the scene. We’re at a dinner party hosted by a prominent religious leader in the community. Friends and family and other influential people are in attendance. So is Jesus.

As everyone gathers around the table, Jesus watches his fellow guests and notes how they are vying for the places of honor. He shares a few thoughts.

Look with me at verse 8:

“When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests.”

Imagine the other guests in this moment. What’s the look on their faces?

This is really awkward, isn’t it? Who talks like this at dinner parties? For real. And how do you respond?

Obviously, Jesus is meaning to play the teacher, and he’s doing that with a purpose. But what is he saying? What’s his point? Is this some new social etiquette for wedding banquets? Or maybe practical instruction on the finer points of honor and shame?

It could be that in a way. But I think there’s more going on.