Build a Bigger Table

Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” Luke 14:12-14

I don’t think I would want to be at this dinner party. Not only do the Pharisees try to trap Jesus, the guests are clearly scrambling to define their social status by where they get to sit. In response, Jesus tells several pointed parables. It all sounds deeply uncomfortable.

In between parables – one on humility and one implying that not all who are invited to God’s kingdom banquet will accept – Jesus turns and gives an extra set of instructions to his Pharisee host.

“When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

Don’t seek your own prominence based on who accepts your dinner invitation or what you receive in return. Give honor to those who would not normally be honored in this society. Pursue heavenly blessing, not earthly reward. Who knows if Jesus’ Pharisee host listened to his instruction, but we have the opportunity to.

This week, invite someone to join you for an activity or meal who it feels like a stretch for you to invite. Yes, we’ve suggested you extend invitations about every week of this series. But extending invitations is at the heart of hospitality and building a bigger table. Like a muscle that needs to be worked in order to strengthen, extending invitations is a skill that, for many of us, needs regular practice before it becomes second nature.

By Jessica Rust

Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they chose the places of honor, saying to them, “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this person,’ and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 14:7-11

Growing up, one of my favorite movies was Mulan. In case you haven’t seen it, a young woman named Mulan is expected to gain honor for her family by acting in a specific manner. In the midst of her striving to do so, Mulan’s aging father is called to service in order to defend China. Rather than following what is expected of her, Mulan disguises herself and takes her father’s position in the army. She chooses to sacrifice her position, her name, and potentially her life in order to protect her father. Instead of following expectations, she brings her family honor by going against convention and saves China.

In this passage, the Pharisees believed something similar. They needed to follow a specific set of rules in order to receive honor and be seated at the head of the table. In this culture, status was everything. Having one’s name known to others often became more important than serving God and others. However, Jesus tells the Pharisees it’s better to take the lowly place at the table. It’s in that space that they could be raised up to the place of honor.

How often do we find ourselves putting our needs or desires in front of others? In doing this, we are raising ourselves into that position of honor at the table rather than taking the lowly place and putting others before ourselves. This week, actively focus on putting others before yourself. This could mean letting others choose where to go to lunch, allowing someone to go ahead of you in line, or completing chores for your spouse or roommate when you’d rather be relaxing.

Father God, thank You for sending Your Son to us. Thank You for His example and His teachings. Allow us this week to follow His example and set others before ourselves. Help us to identify moments where we can take on that servant’s heart and exalt others through our actions. In Your mighty name, Amen.

By John Egland

It happened that when He went into the house of one of the leaders of the Pharisees on the Sabbath to eat bread, they were watching Him closely. And there in front of Him was a man suffering from edema.  And Jesus responded and said to the lawyers and Pharisees, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath, or not?” But they kept silent. And He took hold of him and healed him, and sent him away. And He said to them, “Which one of you will have a son or an ox fall into a well, and will not immediately pull him out on a Sabbath day?” And they could offer no reply to this. Luke 14:1-6

By the first century, the Pharisees and religious lawyers had developed a finely tuned system of traditions designed to help others avoid unholy “work” on the Sabbath – the day God set aside for rest and worship. In this passage, Luke once again depicts Jesus challenging the spirit behind those traditions. Jesus asks whether regulations that limit rescuing people on the Sabbath make sense. The leaders’ silence answers that question.

More than three decades ago my experience as a paralegal introduced me to a myriad of constantly changing local, state and national regulations. In 2011, a book entitled “Three Felonies a Day” revealed that unsuspecting Americans daily transgress obscure government laws containing severe punishments for violation. During the last 18 months we have experienced unprecedented creation of new regulations. Furthermore, we find ourselves surrounded with electronic devices recording many of our movements and conversations with the potential to testify against us about unforeseen mistakes. It’s impossible to keep up.

Sometimes regulations we live with seem burdensome…even ridiculous. But most of the time we understand boundaries (i.e. rules about traffic, food preparation, waste disposal, etc.) are necessary for living in reasonable safety and harmony in a densely populated world.

When a regulation presents an intrusion on godly freedom or an impediment to acts of kindness, Jesus reminds us: “These things I have spoken to you so that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

The challenge Jesus presents to the Pharisees and the religious lawyers in Luke 14 gives us permission to question the spirit behind seemingly arbitrary human regulations. Here are questions you might ask when a rule seems a step too far: 1) How is this regulation beneficial to the well-being of my family and those in my community? 2) Does this regulation allow me to act compassionately?

Has a report of an existing, new, or proposed government regulation disturbed you? Go to a quiet place expecting Jesus to show you his perspective. Trust the Holy Spirit to guide you into any further thoughts, words, or action.

By Kathleen Petersen

One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched. There in front of him was a man suffering from abnormal swelling of his body. Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in the law, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?”But they remained silent. So taking hold of the man, he healed him and sent him on his way. Then he asked them, “If one of you has a child or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull it out?” And they had nothing to say. Luke 14:1-6

Prominence. This dinner with Jesus is saturated with stories and illustrations of prominence. Jesus notices who sits where and calls the Pharisees out on their system of honor and shame. Then Jesus challenges their concept of reciprocal generosity based on who serves your status. On top of all that, Jesus tells a lengthy parable about a great banquet in which the people of prominence are too distracted to attend.

While Jesus is setting the table for the greatest heavenly banquet ever known to man, those with earthly wealth and importance are too consumed with their own things to notice. They were too busy trying to find fault with Jesus to realize he was healing a man with unusual swelling and bringing him down to usual size.

Truth is, prominence has a way of swelling our pride and distracting us from what’s really important. The things we possess and the responsibilities we prioritize could be the very obstacles keeping us from building a bigger table. In what ways do you feel you should be elevated or honored? How has a desire for importance become an obstacle for you?

By Yvonne Biel

One of the experts in the law answered him, “Teacher, when you say these things, you insult us also.” Luke 11:45

Sometimes I’ve overheard God’s voice of correction spoken to another person or group and, rather than taking it as a voice of concern for the welfare of all who are listening, I often do one of two things: If the recipient is someone I think is wrong, I’m ready to amplify the criticism. If I identify with the recipient of God’s correction, I absorb the remedial words as a personal insult and am ready to defend myself like a trial lawyer.

I think I understand the reaction of these experts in the law. When I’ve unintentionally missed God’s purpose, I’ve usually spent a lot of thought, personal passion, and time pursuing and justifying my misdirection. So, being told Jesus finds my attitudes or actions distressing to him, feels like an insult.

So what would be a mature response to God’s legitimate confrontation and correction? I’m reminded of King David’s reaction to a story the prophet Nathan told when he confronted David about his adulterous affair with Bathsheba and subsequent murder of her husband Uriah. Read the story in 2 Samuel 12:1-23.

You will notice David initially raged against the villain in the seemingly fictitious story and Nathan then exclaimed, “You are that man!” Verse 13 records this reply: Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.”

Even though David had sinned against Bathsheba and her husband, he recognized his primary misdirection was against his Lord. If he was to have any peace, he had to settle things with God first. Even though David fully repented, there were serious, long-lasting consequences to his depravity.

When I have chosen errant paths that I found enjoyable, it’s been humbling to acknowledge my ungodly actions and turn to Jesus for forgiveness. Although I might face unpleasant consequences, letting God renew my heart and rearrange my circumstances brings peace and healing.

Has Jesus been bugging you about taking a fork in the road you now know is displeasing to him? Go to him directly…he’s waiting to restore you to himself.

By Kathleen Petersen

“Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering.” Luke 11:52

If someone asked you, “what does it take to follow Jesus?” What would you say? Would you tell them they need to confess Jesus as their Lord and savior? That they need to start going to church? Maybe that they need to read their Bible and pray every day? When it comes down to it, what is at the heart of following Christ?

Maybe someone has said to you that to really be a Christian, or at least a good Christian, you need to listen to the right music, stop watching certain movies, read the right Bible translation, or dress a certain way.

What does Jesus say to those who would follow him? Does he tell them, “follow me, but first get your act together”? Or does he simply invite them to be his disciple first and life change follows?

Like the Pharisees and experts in the law, we can take good things and turn them into essential things. We can take beneficial and important and even lovely things about following Christ and turn them into burdens and hurdles for those who are trying to figure out who Jesus is and if he’s worth the cost of discipleship. Today, brainstorm a list of what is essential about being a Christ-follower. What does Scripture say is essential? Rejoice that God has given us a way to know and follow him and ask him to help you make that way clear for others, and not put stumbling blocks in their path.

By Jessica Rust

Jesus replied, “And you experts in the law, woe to you, because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭11:46‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Jesus tells us his yoke is easy and his burden is light, so when people who claim to follow him are not teaching the easy yoke and light burden, needless to say his heart is concerned (Matthew 11). In today’s passage, Jesus confronts the experts in the law because they are adding to the words of scripture. They are not teaching about finding rest for their soul in relationship with a loving God but about being a better religious person.

Unfortunately, that’s the trap of religion without finding rest in Jesus. Many religious leaders and so-called biblical scholars in our day are also guilty of implementing a heavy yoke by adding additional shame-inducing religious burdens. Religious marketing schemes encourage weekly attendance, plus participation in all programming, plus giving, plus volunteering, etc. – all of which can be beneficial. But when they become a burden, these good things are detrimental to our formation.

Some leaders make their message extra alluring with teachings of prosperity comparative to one’s faithfulness within the church. Some teach a way of deconstructing the faith but leave people under the burden of confusion. Still others teach self-actualizing as a way to transformation. Additionally, all of us can add our own measures of intensity to our walk with Jesus when we have an intense growth mindset or severe critical voices. But, that is not the way of Jesus. He does not come to condemn the world but to save and to set us free (John 3:17, Galatians 5:1).

In what ways are you adding burdens to your walk with Jesus- burdens he never asked you to carry? Confess these burdens and ask Jesus to help you lay them down.

By Yvonne Biel

Then the Lord said to him, “Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? But now as for what is inside you—be generous to the poor, and everything will be clean for you. “Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone. Luke 11:39-42

In the LORD’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him. A person may think their own ways are right, but the LORD weighs the heart. To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. Haughty eyes and a proud heart— the unplowed field of the wicked—produce sin. The plans of the diligent lead to profit. Prov. 21:1-4

God is interested in our hearts. In the Bible, the heart is the center of the human spirit, from which spring emotions, thought, motivations, courage, and action. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” In this passage, Jesus sees the hearts of the Pharisees attending the dinner. He is not afraid to have this difficult conversation about their motivations and actions.

In I Samuel 16:7 “the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.’” Samuel was told this so he would anoint David king of Israel. Jesus shows he is concerned about our heart as well. When he speaks to the Pharisees about what was inside the cup – it is a metaphor for the heart. Jesus is concerned for these leaders in Israel. He sees their hearts and wants them to change the course they are on, to have hearts that love God, have compassion on the poor and the oppressed and to be humble – able to accept a rebuke and acknowledge the need to change their attitudes and actions. David’s prayer, “You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise,” Psalm 51:16-17.

God’s desire for our heart is in the old and the new testament. Ask God to reveal His truth about the heart. For further study look at these passages. Psalm 73:6-7, II Kings 22:18-20, II Kings 23:3, Jeremiah 17:1-10, Proverbs 22:17-20, I Kings 8:38-40,58, 60-61, Romans 8:26-27, I Corinthians 4:5, Ephesians 3:14-19, Philippians 4:4-8.

By Grace Hunter

When Jesus had finished speaking, a Pharisee invited him to eat with him; so he went in and reclined at the table. But the Pharisee was surprised when he noticed that Jesus did not first wash before the meal. Then the Lord said to him, “Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? But now as for what is inside you—be generous to the poor, and everything will be clean for you. Luke 11:37-43

Gathering around the dinner table is a wonderful chance for community and connection with friends and family. Some of my best memories with friends and family are those around the dinner table that go for hours. As these conversations go on, they seem to move from genial, fun conversation towards more serious topics. This is where laughter can turn to tears and fun conversations can turn to difficult, uncomfortable conversations. These conversations provide us with a different perspective that guides us in growth.

A similar thing happens in this interaction between Jesus and the Pharisees. Jesus knows that what He is saying is difficult for the Pharisees to hear, but He is not trying to keep the peace. He is not trying to be kind or gentle at this moment, but rather is fighting for their souls. It looks like Jesus is angry, but in calling out these woes, Jesus is giving the Pharisees a chance to address their struggles and shortcomings head on. He is saying these things not from a place of anger, but a place of love. If Jesus did not care about the Pharisees, He would not be warning them to make a change. In our lives, we find that we need truth spoken through love into our souls to help us better grow into His image.

Today, pray and ask the Holy Spirit to give you a spirit that is open to correction and that He would draw you back to the way of Jesus, even if it is challenging to you. Picture Jesus speaking these woes to you. Are there any that you resonate with? Are there hard conversations Jesus is trying to have with you? Pray a prayer of confession about the things you have done and left undone.

By John Egland

One thing I ask from the Lord,

    this only do I seek:

that I may dwell in the house of the Lord

    all the days of my life,

to gaze on the beauty of the Lord

    and to seek him in his temple. Psalm 27:4

Some of us, whether through practice or temperament, may find it easy to be in Jesus’ presence. Others might struggle. Being present with Jesus and listening for his voice, especially when we have the opportunity to be distracted by so many things, takes practice. Here are some suggestions for being present with the Lord. Try one today.

• Picture yourself sitting at the feet of Jesus, like Mary did. What is he saying to you?
• Meditate on Scripture. Psalm 27 is a good starting point.
• As much as possible, get rid of distractions- including your phone. Seek out silence and solitude, even if it’s only for 30 minutes.
• If you are someone who finds it difficult to spend consistent time with God and enter into his presence, it’s worth asking yourself why- and asking the Holy Spirit to reveal to you why this might be. Is it because you’re busy? Is it because you don’t know what to do? Are you afraid he doesn’t want you there until you change something about yourself? Challenge yourself to process through this struggle.

By Jessica Rust