Luke 14: 12-13
‘When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbours; 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, and the blind…’
Since Jesus tells us to pray ‘your kingdom come’, it’s important to think about what the kingdom of heaven is like, and how it contrasts to the kingdoms of this world. I’ve picked this scripture as just one example of where Jesus’ approach to ordinary every-day situations is wildly at odds with our own. Since it is his kingdom we want to invite, perhaps this example will help us catch a glimpse of what his kingdom is like.
In our daily lives we are probably more familiar with systems/structures/social rules than with kingdoms. But a kingdom can be defined as a reality governed by a distinct rule and identity. Jesus’ instruction here shows us some of the rule and identity of the reality he calls us to usher in.
Inviting guests to share meals was a crucial part of a patronage system in Jesus’ day. It was an opportunity to network, opening up business opportunities and political favour. Those with the most used these occasions to cement their social positions, so would invite their peers who affirmed their position. Those aspiring for greater influence would invite rich neighbours and family contacts. Either way, as a host your hope was to be repaid.
There would be no place for people who could never repay - the poor, disabled, marginalised - the ‘other’. So advising hosts to invite such people would not only be uncomfortable and counterintuitive, it could be economic suicide! Nevertheless that is precisely what Jesus did. Why would he advocate such a radical challenge of social rules? Perhaps there would be something theatrical in such a blunt and shocking challenge. Perhaps it would be a worthy act of charity. But I think there’s something deeper here about the rule of the patronage system in contrast to the rule of the kingdom of heaven. In telling us to give without expecting repayment, our motivation is redirected from self-service to justice, from ourselves to the people around us, from division to inclusion. Compassion and justice were absent from the patronage system and instead, the system perpetuated the status quo of division, exclusion and injustice.
Isn’t it great that we don’t live with any systems like that nowadays…!
Where can I include rather than exclude people today? When can I act because it is right, rather than because of a benefit I might get? How can I share my banquet? Your Kingdom come Lord Jesus.
You could take this one step further...
ReplyDeleteIf invitations to meals or banquets was a way for people to network, gain opportunities, open new doors - i.e. it was about more than just the food and hospitality - then why would it be just about the food when you invite the poor and marginalised? On the face of it, the passage seems to be about simple generosity to those in need. But perhaps what its really saying is that we should facilitate their gaining new opportunities and finding open doors?
We know that poor countries dont just need aid but rather the opportunity to grow and develop themselves - maybe Jesus was trying to make that very point?!