Lessons in Humility & Hospitality

A Most Uncomfortable Dinner Party

Luke 14:1–14 NASB95

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 dropsy. And Jesus answered and spoke to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, “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 make no reply to this. And He began speaking a parable to the invited guests when He noticed how they had been picking out the places of honor at the table, saying to them, “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for someone more distinguished than you may have been invited by him, and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this man,’ and then in disgrace you proceed to occupy the last place. “But when you are invited, go and recline at the last place, so that when the one who has invited you comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher’; then you will have honor in the sight of all who are at the table with you. “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” And He also went on to say to the one who had invited Him, “When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, otherwise they may also invite you in return and that will be your repayment. “But when you give a reception, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, since they do not have the means to repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

Introduction:

Sunday Dinner

One Sunday afternoon our family gathered around our big oak table for dinner. Soon my daughter Kate’s laughter rose above the talk. “Gram, you’re silly!” she said. We all turned to see my mom delicately lifting to her mouth a small strand of peas on the blade of her knife. All but one pea made it, and everyone clapped. Then Mom told us the story behind her unorthodox technique:

“When I was little we didn’t have much. It was the Depression. But we did have a table full of food because my father grew wonderful vegetables. Lots of hoboes who had jumped from the train wandered onto our property, looking for a meal. More often than not an extra seat was pulled up to our dinner table.

“One summer afternoon I was sweeping the kitchen floor when my father’s voice came through the screen door: ‘Lizzy, set another plate. We have company tonight.’ Our guest paused in the doorway, and dipped his head in a gesture of gratitude. ‘Looks like he doesn’t speak much English,’ Dad said, ‘but he’s hungry like we are. His name is Henry.’

“When dinner was ready Henry stood until we were all seated, then gently perched on the edge of his chair, his head bowed and his hat in his lap. The blessing was said and dishes were passed from hand to hand.

“We all waited, as was proper, for our guest to take the first bite. Henry must have been so hungry he didn’t notice us watching him as he grabbed his knife. Carefully he slid the blade into the pile of peas before him, and then lifted a quivering row to his mouth without spilling a single pea. He was eating with his knife! I looked at my sister May and we covered our mouths to muffle our snickers. Henry took another knifeful, and then another.

“My father, taking note of the glances we were exchanging, firmly set down his fork. He looked me in the eye, then took his knife and thrust it into the peas on his plate. Most of them fell off as he attempted to lift them to his mouth, but he continued until all the peas were gone.

“Dad never did use his fork that evening, because Henry didn’t. It was one of my father’s silent lessons in acceptance. He understood the need for this man to maintain his dignity, to feel comfortable in a strange place with people of different customs. Even at my young age I understood the greatness of my father’s simple act of brotherhood.”

Mom paused, looked at her grandchildren, and winked as she plowed her knife into a mountain of peas.

Contributed by Cori Connors, of Farmington, Utah, to Guideposts, March 1997, p. 36.

If it had not been for the compassionate actions of this father, this dinner party may have become quite uncomfortable. However, the farmer was a kind-hearted man and took matters into his hands to make his guest feel welcomed and respected. In today’s passage we find a different kind of host and dinner party. This one is...

I. A Most Uncomfortable Dinner Party

Like last week’s story, this story also occurs on a Sabbath. It was common for the prominent Pharisees to have dinner parties on the Sabbath and to invite anyone who is anyone to these parties. Now Jesus was “somebody” if for no other reason than His popularity among the people. So He is invited by this prominent man to come to His Sabbath luncheon.

However, this was no ordinary dinner part because this party was set up with ulterior motives in mind. Jesus was not invited out of the kindness of His heart, but was invited as a means to try to set Him up and discredit Him. You see a man who was suffering from Dropsy was also invited. Dropsy is what we would call today edema. It is major swelling in the body usually caused from cirrhosis of the liver, heart disease or kidney issues and it is very painful. We know this was a setup as such people were not invited by the Pharisees. Any health issue of this kind was normally treated like a plague by men who believed themselves above such things.

This dinner party started on the wrong foot to begin with as it was a dinner party with ulterior motives. Jesus was not invited out of the kindness of His heart, but was invited as a means to try to set Him up. You see a man who was suffering from Dropsy was invited. Dropsy is an edema issue. It is usually caused from cirrhosis of the liver, heart disease or kidney issues that cause major swelling. We know this was a setup as such people were not invited by the Pharisees. Any kind of issue was normally treated like a plague by men who believed themselves above such things.

Jesus does not disappoint as once again He is moved with compassion and heals the man revealing the first of three falsehoods of the Pharisee righteousness. The first is that their...

This is once again a Sabbath. It was common for the Pharisees to have dinner parties on the S

This dinner party started on the wrong foot to begin with as it was a dinner party with ulterior motives. Jesus was not invited out of the kindness of His heart, but was invited as a means to try to set Him up. However, Jesus swiftly took the upper hand demonstrating His authority.

A. False Piety is Revealed ()

I am not going to go too far into this since it echos what we had last week, however I wish to point out one difference. In most cases, Jesus healed the people and the Pharisees challenged Jesus abuse of the Sabbath or attacked the people as we saw in last week’s event. In this case, Jesus beats them to the punch. Before healing the man He asks them if it is lawful for Him to do so. Jesus has taken the offensive by doing so. They are not in a hot seat. If they say “no, it is not lawful for Jesus to heal this man” they sound cold and heartless. It does not matter that they are, just that people would recognize it as so. If they say it is okay for Jesus to heal the man, they have just violated their own law. So they remain silent. Jesus then heals the man and gives a similar explanation as his response last week, that being that they would give such courtesy to a son or an animal. If either had fallen in a well, they would take the time to pull them out immediately.

Last week, Jesus response came after the synagogue’s ruler reprimanded the people and Jesus response humiliated the ruler. In this case, Jesus asks the leaders up front. By addressing them first, He is able to teach them without humiliating them which is a kind act considering that He is a guest in this man’s house

Many commentators question why these men would set Jesus up like this. Surely they have heard the stories of Jesus actions regarding the Sabbath. Each time the Pharisees were humiliated and put to shame by Jesus response. He had already “violated” their Sabbath traditions on at least seven different occasions. On the Sabbath day, He had cast out a demon (), healed a fever (), allowed His disciples to pluck grain (), healed a lame man (), healed a man with a paralyzed hand (), delivered a crippled woman who was afflicted by a demon (), and healed a man born blind (). So what did they hope to gain by inviting this man with edema? Well, I think we can guess why. There is always someone who feels they can succeed where others have failed. I suspect it was much the same case in this event. It must have been disconcerting to them to fail so quickly in the party. They had not even sat down to eat yet. Unfortunately, they once again find they are in the spotlight as they do so and we see...

B. False Popularity Exposed ()

Luke 14:7–11 NASB95

And He began speaking a parable to the invited guests when He noticed how they had been picking out the places of honor at the table, saying to them, “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for someone more distinguished than you may have been invited by him, and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this man,’ and then in disgrace you proceed to occupy the last place. “But when you are invited, go and recline at the last place, so that when the one who has invited you comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher’; then you will have honor in the sight of all who are at the table with you. “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

This parable was sparked by Jesus observations of their behavior. They are determined to prove themselves as the “most important” guest. Each is scrambling to try to obtain the seats closest to the host, which were considered seats of honor.

As a children’s pastor I used to use some curriculum for children called, “Oops, Your Manners are Showing.” Most of these revolved around dinner table etiquette. Manners and etiquette are steeped in humility. They are behaviors that make all feel comfortable and show proper respect for others around the table. However, these men left their manners at home. They were so intent to prove their self-worth. But is there true self -worth if you have to take it upon yourself to prove it?

The very actions of these men so the emphasis they put on power, success, and notoriety. But true respect is not forced or proven, but freely received from others.

It is far more gratifying to be surprised by recognition from someone, than when we grapple to get it. I remember one of my most embarrassing moments. You can imagine that as a public speaker I have lots of embarrassing moments. It comes with the territory, which is why so many are fearful of the spotlight. In this case, I was fairly new in the position of pastor (children’s pastor). We had a special appreciation dinner and were acknowledging people in their roles in ministry. This one couple I had honored had come up and were giving thanks to those he felt had helped him do what he did. He said, “I have one last person I wish to thank...”. He had glanced at me as he said this and I thought he was about to thank me. So I replied, “no, that is not necessary.” To which he replied, “yes, it is.” Then to my embarrassment, he named someone else. He later added me to the list, however it felt like it was forced to cover up the uncomfortable moment.

I have had people say or try to manipulate to get public acknowledgement and I always think that they are demeaning the thanks they get by making it their idea instead of waiting until it is given by choice. It always makes the moment uncomfortable.

The truth is, our worth is not found in the recognition by man, but in who we were created to be by God. God’s creation of us is the best argument for our worth.

Psalm 139:13–14 NASB95

For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well.

There is a lot of confusion about humility and what it is. Often people think it means that we think poor about ourselves. However, the truth about humility is that it an acceptance of who we are and so we do not need to think about ourselves, but instead can think first of others. It means we have nothing to prove and our only concern is that of love.

This concept is found throughout the Bible.

Proverbs 25:6–7 NASB95

Do not claim honor in the presence of the king, And do not stand in the place of great men; For it is better that it be said to you, “Come up here,” Than for you to be placed lower in the presence of the prince, Whom your eyes have seen.

Proverbs

James 4:6 NASB95

But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

The truth is there is no guarantee that people judge “greatness” by the right standards. We only see what is on the outside and sometimes what is deemed “great” is only temporary, unlike God who knows the inner person and knows fully their abilities. Besides, in and of ourselves, none of us are great. Only with God’s help due we reach our full potential.

Ever heard of Charles Templeton or Bron Clifford? What about Billy Graham? You have most likely known, or at least heard of, Billy Graham and his evangelistic crusades. You have probably read newspapers or watched televised events where thousands upon thousands have packed auditoriums to hear the gospel preached. No doubt, if you did, you saw or read about the many hundreds that came forward to receive Christ as their Savior. The Reverend Billy Graham has been an advisor and friend to several American Presidents as well as other world leaders. He has been a very influential man over the last century, and his legacy will continue for years to come. So why mention Charles Templeton and Bron Clifford? In his book Finishing Strong, author Steve Farrar tells an incredible story about these young men.

All three were great preachers, just starting out in ministry in 1945. All three men were young, in their mid-twenties and on fire for God. Templeton and Graham were friends who worked together for Youth for Christ. Templeton helped organize the Youth for Christ program in Canada. In 1946, the National Association of Evangelicals published an article on men who were “best used of God” and featured Charles Templeton. Billy Graham was never mentioned. Bron Clifford packed a Miami arena (and many more), where thousands lined up outside trying to get in to hear his message.

How is it that you know Billy Graham’s name? He stayed the course, and kept following God. Clifford became a used car salesman before dying from cirrhosis of the liver. He died lost and alone at the age of 35.

Templeton turned his back on his faith, renounced his belief in Christ as his Savior and began to work as a reporter. He later wrote a book called, Farewell to God: My Reasons for Rejecting the Christian Faith. Templeton is a model of apostasy. What is apostasy? Apostasy as defined by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary is:

1: renunciation of a religious faith 2: abandonment of a previous loyalty

Chuck Templeton, for whatever reason, left a faith-filled life and turned away from God. Billy Graham, on the other hand, remained faithful—sacrificially serving Christ in spite of opposition and against the odds.

This is not a case of one man being better than the other, but of one staying faithful to God. How do you think God feels about people like Charles? Brokenhearted? Angry? What do you think God’s response is to people who reject Christ and the salvation He offers?

It has been reported that when asked about his decision to renounce his faith, Charles Templeton vigorously defended his choice. When asked point blank how he felt about Jesus, Charles Templeton said, “In my view He is the most important human being who has ever existed.” Then his voice began to crack, he haltingly said, “I miss him!” Then Templeton’s eyes filled with tears and he wept with his shoulders shaking.* (*Taken from sermoncentral.com.)

After Jesus shared this parable, He turned to the host. This time He did not give a parable, but directly instructs the host on the...

C. False Hospitality Professed ()

Luke 14:12–14 NASB95

And He also went on to say to the one who had invited Him, “When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, otherwise they may also invite you in return and that will be your repayment. “But when you give a reception, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, since they do not have the means to repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

Luke 12

If you think about it, this is still more teaching on humility. We are not to invite others with the selfish intent of self-gain, but instead, are to invite others out of love and to provide for their need.

This does not mean we cannot have dinner parties for family and friends, but it does mean that this should not be our only purpose. One commentary accused too many church socials to be with this attitude. I was part of a church that did something that I felt fell under this category. There was a group of men pushing us to cancel all Sunday night activities to have a Super Bowl night. The church would close and they would bring in a big (BIG) screen and food to watch the Super Bowl football game. There were people for it and people against it (I was not for it). However, they said that people did not have to participate if they didn’t want to do so. They said they were doing it for the sake of “evangelism” and would invite unsaved friends to the party. They would have a gospel presentation at the half-time. (They also wanted fun things provided for the children, however, no one wanted to work it).

Well, it had a small success the first year. A handful of men came and one man gave his heart to the Lord. The next year however, no one but the men of the church came. The third year the same thing happened and the people who were against it said it was not meeting its purpose and they did not think it was worth shutting church down for it when it was not meeting its “evangelistic” purpose.

The next thing I knew, they changed their purpose to just be Christian fellowship and they kept it going. The truth is that that kind of Christian fellowship could have been done in a home and we could have still had church where we were focused on worshiping God and not sports. They just like the huge screen and the room they had.

Let me ask you a question? When was the last time you asked someone out to lunch, either at your home or at a restaurant. I have to tell you I am pleased to have seen several of you do this on more than one occasion. Several of us go to Cowboys and Angels after church on Sundays. There have been times when someone was with us who could not afford to be, but others encouraged them to come and paid for their meals. I feel we do a good job of that, but it is good to be watchful for opportunities to provide for people’s needs. This church as been wonderful about that on many occasions not just those pertaining to meals. Allow me to thank you for your kind and generous spirits.

Well as you can imagine, the atmosphere of this dinner party was a bit intense at this point and a man, hoping to alleviate the discomfort declared, “Blessed is the man who will eat at the kingdom of God” (v 15). Have you ever had someone turn a conversation away from an uncomfortable moment with a glib, humorous response? That is exactly what this man was doing. However, Jesus knew that these men were not yet accepting the severe importance of His message. So in response, Jesus tells them another parable depicting what that moment of the kingdom of God will be like.

Conclusion:

Luke 14:16–24 NASB95

But He said to him, “A man was giving a big dinner, and he invited many; and at the dinner hour he sent his slave to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come; for everything is ready now.’ “But they all alike began to make excuses. The first one said to him, ‘I have bought a piece of land and I need to go out and look at it; please consider me excused.’ “Another one said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out; please consider me excused.’ “Another one said, ‘I have married a wife, and for that reason I cannot come.’ “And the slave came back and reported this to his master. Then the head of the household became angry and said to his slave, ‘Go out at once into the streets and lanes of the city and bring in here the poor and crippled and blind and lame.’ “And the slave said, ‘Master, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.’ “And the master said to the slave, ‘Go out into the highways and along the hedges, and compel them to come in, so that my house may be filled. ‘For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste of my dinner.’ ”

Luke 14:

The man had spoken correctly. “Blessed is the person who eats at that feast, however, if the Pharisees did not change their ways they would find they missed out on the greatest feast of all while all those they deem unworthy will be the recipients. Aren’t you glad that we are never too crippled or feeble to be invited. All we need to be willing to do is to accept the invitation. The first invite is to receive the gift of salvation. The second invite is to the biggest healing party you ever did see! We do not need to struggle and strive to prove ourselves or to convince others that we are worthy. We are worthy by the grace of God’s love.

Pray

In 1747, Charles Wesley wrote a song about this special feast. It goes like this...

In 1747, Charles Wesley wrote a song about this special feast. It goes like this...

Come, sinners, to the gospel feast; let every soul be Jesus' guest. Ye need not one be left behind, for God hath bid all humankind.

Sent by my Lord, on you I call; the invitation is to all. Come, all the world! Come, sinner, thou! All things in Christ are ready now.

Come, all the world! Come, sinner, thou! All things in Christ are ready now.

Come, all the world! Come, sinner, thou! All things in Christ are ready now.

Come, all ye souls by sin oppressed, ye restless wanderers after rest; ye poor, and maimed, and halt, and blind, in Christ a hearty welcome find.

My message as from God receive; ye all may come to Christ and live. O let his love your hearts constrain, nor suffer him to die in vain.

This is the time, no more delay! This is the Lord's accepted day. Come thou, this moment, at his call, and live for him who died for all

‘Come, Sinners, to the Gospel Feast.’Words: Charles Wesley, 1747 () Music: Katholisches Gesangbuch, ca. 1774; adapt. from Metrical Psalter, 1855

Words: Charles Wesley, 1747 () Music: Katholisches Gesangbuch, ca. 1774; adapt. from Metrical Psalter, 1855

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