2004-08-29 A Different Kind of Banquet.doc - Page 1 of 2
This year we have been reading primarily from Luke’s gospel, my favorite for many
reasons one of which is that, because I really love to eat, I’m fascinated that in Luke Jesus
always seems to be either on his way to a meal, or at a meal, or coming from a meal.
In today’s lesson, it’s the Sabbath and Jesus is at the house of a prominent Pharisee for a
meal. The first thing we learn is that “they”—the Pharisees and experts in the law—are watching
him closely, which is not surprising considering the tensions that have been developing between
Jesus and the religious establishment because of their different visions of God’s order for human
society.
And having arrived at the Pharisee’s home, Jesus is observing the behavior of both the
guests and the hosts. Again, not surprising, when you consider how into everyday life Jesus was.
He had a way of taking the everyday activities like fishing or farming or shepherding or keeping
house and using them to teach about what life is like in the Kingdom of God.
Well, as we know, Jesus wasn’t one to tiptoe around a subject. He was serious about his
mission to invite everyone into God’s kingdom. So when he notices how the guests are choosing
the places of honor for themselves, Jesus offers two lessons that sound like they’re about table
manners but are really about life in the Kingdom of God.
His first message was for the guests and must have sounded a little strange. At best it was
something that probably wouldn’t work. As theologian Walter Wink observes: “Is this tongue in
cheek? Go to a banquet and take the lowest place. I’ve tried it, and they left me there. They must
be talking to people with more standing.”
And at worst it sounds like Jesus is offering a divinely approved strategy that involves
acting humble to get what you want—a better place at the table. Which, of course isn’t the
point—because in the Kingdom of God there is no “better seat,” no hierarchy at the table that
God sets for us.
The other lesson was for the host. Hospitality is a good thing. In the bible it has a lot of
pleasant and positive connotations—such as friendliness, generosity, graciousness, concern for
others—and even the possibility of entertaining angels.
But Jesus must have seen something else here: that being a host was a way to gain power
over others in order to put them in debt to the host. Jesus’ advice on kingdom living is this: don’t
invite friends, family, or rich neighbors who can return the favor. Invite people who can’t: the
poor, crippled, lame, and blind—persons with no property or place in society—and they are just
the ones you would expect in Luke’s gospel.
As I thought about the model that Jesus offered, I couldn’t help but wonder what he
would have said about our political conventions and all the parties and banquets that go on
during the week off the convention floor. It seems that some high ranking politicians (of both
parties) invite corporations to their parties with the strong suggestion that they give a substantial,
tax-deductible amount to a charities that have been set up but no staff, no office, and no
charitable activities.
Likewise, corporations invite politicians, again both Democrat and Republican (not to the
same shindig) in order to gain access to whoever wins. Delegates—the ones who are supposedly
there to do the political party’s business—are specifically excluded, as are members of the press.
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