“Sitting at the ‘right table’ was just as important then as now.”
Schools started in Loudoun County, VA this week. From kindergarten to seniors, young people walked into a lunchroom for the first time wondering where and with whom they were going to sit. The decision that is made on the first day of new school has lasting affects for the rest of the school year and beyond.
Join the wrong table and “social cred” goes out the window. Marked for life.
Try to join the “right” table without the proper admitting credentials from the kingpins and queen bees who run the social structure, the shame will be quick and your dignity devastated. And marked for life.
But join the “right table”, to be accepted and belong — there is honor.
Sitting at the “right table was just as important then as now. I don’t know if I find comfort in that fact. In Luke 14 we read about Jesus’s visit a pharisee’s home. On the way he healed yet another person on the Sabbath. And while the pharisees were watching him closely, Jesus, too was watching them. He noticed how everyone gravitated to the places of honor.
Table fellowship in the honor and shame society of the 1st century could be a mine-field. The inviting host held the position of “kingpin.” Those who sat closest to the host were carefully picked. They were the ones who help important positions or were influential in the local community. And, if per chance, a person of higher social status than the host would join the table, then you could expect to see a lot of sucking up going on.
And the last thing that anyone wanted to be in 1st century was shamed. It could have devastating, life-long consequences. No one to marry your daughters or sons to, no one with which to barter. Being ostracized and treated like a social pariah would surely follow. And, marked for life.
We all try to teach our children some aspect of humility. In verse 11 when Jesus says, “…all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted,” we get that.
But wait, this is a parable. And a parable is a story told by Jesus that is not necessarily true BUT reveals truth about God, the kingdom of God or us.
So what’s not necessarily true about this tale? The humility part. Humility was NOT a virtue in the Greco-Roman world. To act in a humble way was to lower one’s social status and that just wasn’t happening. They always compared themselves to others. Identity came from what others thought of you, from the clothing you wore to the people you associated with. Like I said, not much different from today if we are being truthful with ourselves.
That makes Jesus’ statement of “humble themselves” a counter-cultural statement. Not exalt oneself? Yes, because that is what it means to be a part of the kingdom of God, right here on earth.
Jesus didn’t stop with the honor and shame system but rather moved right on to the “patronage system” or quid pro quo. I scratch your back; you scratch mine. You owe me; I owe you. And in the patronage system EVERYTHING counted.
Those who were at dinner with Pharisee now owed him retribution. They were expected to “pay him back” with political favors, undying loyalty or a personal audience. Again, not much different from today, especially around the political machine that is Washington.
So when in verse 14 Jesus instructs the host, “when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind…” they must have thought Jesus was out of his mind. What? Waste an opportunity for personal advancement? What good is inviting the least, the last, the lost, the lonely, and the left-behind when they absolutely meant nothing to them?
But this is the kingdom of God. This is how God treats us. Here. Now. He invites us to be in relationship with him. He created us, he cares for us, he forgives us, he redeems us, he loves us. And he likes us too!
And there is absolutely nothing that we can do to make him love us more. There is absolutely nothing that we can do to make him love us less. And that is something that we can never repay. Ever. So what are we to do?
Live the kingdom life! Live as if our faith matters. Live as if it makes a difference in our lives. Live the Gospel out loud. Give back all that God has given us.
So what might living the gospel out loud, living the kingdom life look like? First, take a seat at Jesus’ counter-cultural lunch table and invite someone to join you. While these ideas are geared toward our kids returning to school, it is not much different at the workroom lunch table, on a college campus, at church functions or bridge club, just to name a few.
Invite that kid who always sits alone to join you.
Stop someone from bullying someone else. It only takes one to make it done.
Pick the one who is always picked last, first to be on your team.
Value others simply for who they are, just like who we are, children of God!
And don’t expect anything in return.
And I can guarantee you, promise you in fact, that people will look at you as if you’re out of your mind too. And not understand why you’re doing it. And might even yell at you, as I found out in the Alexandria Aldi last week. But keep doing it anyway. That’s what living the gospel out loud and living the kingdom life is all about.
That’s living like your faith makes a difference in your life. And it isn’t easy. And you might get hurt. And it will be OK because God has your back on this one.
And for homework…hey, school started on Monday, right? For homework, share with someone what living the gospel out loud and living the kingdom life looked like for you this week.
Blessings on your week as you sit at Jesus’ counter cultural lunch table, where everyone is welcome and no one, no matter your sexual orientation or ethnicity, whether you are high in faith, low in faith, questioning your faith, or doubting that you have any faith. All are welcome at Jesus’ lunch table! Come, have a seat!