Elevate Nov 28

this week we were in the book of Luke chapter 14.
I know technically the events of chapter 14 and the story that Jesus told is not a parable but,...... it had to do with eating a big meal, and had a good point.

In the opening lines of Luke chapter 14 we see that Jesus was invited to dinner. This dinner included a guest list of rich people, political leaders, religious leaders, and intellectual relatives of the host.
The host was the leader of the synagogue, who was also wealthy , politically influential, and religiously exulted by many.
Given the culture of the day I sincerely doubt that Jesus was invited haphazardly. There is a good chance that Jesus had been in the synagogue at lease for the last week and possibly even longer. Jesus had developed a relationship with the political leaders and the synagogue leaders, and although he was not in trouble they definitely wanted to keep an eye on him.

It says in the early verses that they were watching Jesus closely because of a lame/sick man that was also at the party. The poor and needy and sick people would often be allowed to wait around the outside of the courtyard for the important people to finish dinner, and then the leftovers would be brought to those poor needy people. During the meal there would be multiple topics covered and the host would have the final say in the answering of a question, or rendering an opinion. This was done out of courtesy to the host and in recognition of his position within the political realm, and religious realm.

Jesus asked the question "is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath" we see in the verses that ultimately they had no answer for his question. That doesn't mean they didn't discuss it for quite some time around the table, it just means that the host ultimately decided not to answer the question probably because of fear.
Jesus then leaned over and healed a man who was sitting near him.
Then Jesus challenged everyone at the table with this observation, that they would work on the Sabbath if it meant being helpful to someone or something that they cared about. This also in essence rendered the host and his guests speechless.

Jesus then went to the observations that he had made prior to dinner. He had observed people entering the house and jockeying for the most prominent position around the table. Some were moved to lower positions by the host, some were moved to higher positions by the host ,and I imagine Jesus ended up with the lowest spot at the table.
Jesus exposed the selfish nature of those who tried to exalt themselves, he exposed the false humility of those who sat in lower positions so that they would be exalted by the host, and he exposed the heart of God who exults those who are truly humble.
Jesus then spoke directly to the host and exposed his motive for having the dinner. The host wanted to be exalted and repaid by all those who were in attendance. Jesus took a host to task for not inviting all of the poor and needy who were waiting for leftovers to the banquet table. He pointed out that the host needed to provide dinner for people who could not pay him back or exalt him by repaying him with a more lavish dinner.

From there someone made the comment that it would be good enough for them just to have a small piece of the kingdom of God.
Jesus then went on to give the story of the man who planned a banquet, sent out invitations, and then was rejected by everyone who was invited when the banquet was ready. This rejection led the rich man to invite anyone who was available in the city to the dinner, and when that wasn't enough people he went out into the countryside and drag every person he can find into the banquet hall. This filled is banquet hall with guests who appreciated the meal, and left out everyone who was originally intended for.

I know the story can't have theological implications, but I wanted to stay with a more practical thread.
I believe Jesus has a banquet prepared for all of us. This banquet indicates the fullness of the Kingdom of God in our lives. I believe many people in some form of religious arrogance, selfish pride, or doctrinal tradition have turned their back on Jesus and said in essence all I want is a crust of bread and some water. We wrap this arrogance in some sort of concept that we don't want to bother God to give us everything ,we don't need everything, just give us a little piece of heaven.
I think Jesus is quite amazed at our choice not to eat the banquet that he has prepared. He wants to give us more and were asking for less, and we think were doing him a favor by not eating everything he has prepared.

I think we need to enter the banquet that God is prepared for us regarding every aspect of our Christian walk. We need the full banquet when it comes to worship, prayer, teaching, reading God's Word, hearing his voice, reaching out to others, and a host of other things. Why do we limit God by demanding he only give us a piece of the Kingdom, instead of the whole banquet.

I don't think God is going to run out of food at the banquet hall. I think a lot of us need to turn around, step up to the buffet table, and start filling our plate with a banquet of food that will change our lives, and the lives of the communities around us.