Chapter 14b

vs 7 – 14

These verses continue on from the last section, and it would appear that Jesus says this at the same dinner party where his host has just tried to trap him. As I said in my last blog (a fair while ago unfortunately!), Jesus manages to keep his temper, which is better than many of us may otherwise have done. More than that, though, He uses it as an opportunity for some teaching.

Notice how organic Jesus’ teaching is – He seems to have the perfect words for the situation (yet again!). At a dinner party, he neatly segues into a stealth anecdote on pride – with the concept that one should see others as being better than one’s self. In this way, rather than being humbled when your host demotes you, you can thrill at the joy when your host promotes you!

This is such good advice that it seems obvious. Yet when we apply it to similar situation in life, it can be difficult to do.

Let me illustrate. When you are driving along, it costs you nothing to let the other driver merge with you . . yet how often do we keep going selfishly on our own way?

It’s wired into us to be selfish. The atheist evangelist Richard Dawkins believes that it’s basically what our biology is supposed to do. Yet Jesus is calling us to be more than what our flesh wants to be.

He gives a good reason that goes beyond the spiritual here – think of the humiliation caused by demotion! – but the ultimate attitude Jesus wants is one of humility, and the reason He really wants is not because “I might get caught out,” but “It’s not right to see myself that way.”

Finally he gives some pointed advice to the host. “Next time, don’t just invite your rich friends and family, the type who could return the favour.”

Now, note that there was one person there that wasn’t a rich friend – the man with horrific arthritis that Jesus healed. On the Sabbath. But Jesus isn’t just talking about status – once again, it’s attitude that Jesus is interested in.

You see, the man may not have been rich or powerful, but he still had something the host wanted – and without that, he may well not have been invited.

It’s hard not to see this as a subtle but effective rebuke. “Next time don’t just invite people because they suit your purposes,” he could be saying. “Be genuine!”