While most of us first learned our manners at the family dinner table, the historical reality is that many of our manners came from the French court of King Louis XIV. At Versailles, Louis had the rules for court behavior written on what the French referred to as "tickets," or étiquette. The “tickets” were most likely the invitations that were issued to court events with the rules of behavior printed on the back.
Jesus didn’t care about man made rules of etiquette if they conflicted with God’s plans. You can read about Jesus' encounter with a group of leaders at a banquet here in Luke Chapter 14.
Ever been the honored guest or the host at a formal dinner? Ever been in that place where it felt as if all eyes were upon you? Ever been part of the group watching someone – noticing their every move?
I wonder what it must have been like for Jesus at this particular gathering. I like the fact that while He is being watched, He in turn is observing all the actions of those around Him.
Jesus has the attention of all the religious leaders and begins the evening by challenging a long standing issue of etiquette – the proper use of the Sabbath. Jesus’ challenges the notion that the Sabbath is completely for rest. Jesus’ argues that the Sabbath is in fact the time to bring honor and praise to God. This entire dinner conversation would be the basis for the early church to reject the rigorous laws of the Sabbath imposed by Jewish law. Jesus introduces a new etiquette for the Sabbath – in all you do bring praise to God!
He then goes on to tell a story to the guests around the table Luke 14:7-14.
Jesus tackles another problem of etiquette – misguided social ambition. The seating arrangements for a banquet were very important in Jesus’ time. They place where you sat during a banquet revealed your status in society and within the social group gathered. The reality is that not much as changed in 2000 years.
We all are seeking status in some way. By being seen doing the right things, wearing the right things, supporting the right things, being seen at the right places . . . .
We are not that much different than those Jesus speaks of – we are somewhat trapped in the culture of status. When is the last time you thought, “I Wouldn’t be caught ‘dead’ there or in that or with them ... ?”
I believe Jesus is making the point that our service, our etiquette, our doing the right thing, our way of living is far more important than our status will ever be. The point is that the proper etiquette in all places and at all times is humility. Ambition is good, but misguided (self-serving) ambition is wrong. Jesus’ directs that our proper etiquette will lead us to value service and humility over status and ambition.
That triggered a response from one of the guests: "How fortunate the one who gets to eat dinner in God's kingdom!" Luke Chapter 14:15-24.
When a party conversation is bringing the crowd down - change the subject!
But Jesus is on a roll. Everyone is listening and He has a couple more rules of etiquette to challenge. In this time period, it was custom to send two invitations to a banquet. The first invitation invited people to the banquet. It let them know it was going to happen and to prepare because they were invited. The second invitation was to let the invited know that the banquet was ready and to come. This story that Jesus told was not just a story about dinner etiquette. This was a story about the Jews and the Pharisees. God had delivered His first invitation through Moses and now Jesus was the second invitation and like those in the story it seemed they had there excuses.
The excuses given revealed their priorities. The regrets in the story are revealing:
1) Inspect my land – take care of possessions and my wealth
2) Purchased Oxen – take care of my work and status
3) Home and Wife – reveals the self-centered nature of our relationships and our life
As we examine the excuses they seem silly. Jesus must have felt similar as His message was rejected. But have we not done the same thing? We send out formal invitations that read, “we request the honor of your presence” but do we really believe that? We respond with words that read, “we regret that we will be unable to attend” but do we really regret?
What excuses have you given or made? When is the last time you spoke of your faith with someone? When is the last time you invited someone into your home or church to discuss the matters of faith? When is the last time Jesus was inconvenient in your life? What are the stories that you tell or hear at your table? Have we become so status conscious in our lives that we forgotten or marginalized those that need the invitation the most? Have we failed to heed the instruction to go into the streets and bring all those that are hungry (not just hungry physically, but hungry spiritually)?
Jesus is not convenient?
He never will be.
This place, this dinner with Jesus, isn’t about you – it is about those that have yet to come. As we have already responded to the invitation to the banquet, we must be careful to act in a way that honors our host.
Our etiquette (our actions) are not to be self-serving. Our actions are to benefit and to honor our Host. Invite someone to the table this week.
At this banquet, all eyes are upon you and it’s your move.
Can you be inconvenienced to make room at the table?
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