“Mealtimes goings-on”
By Rev. Michael Stonhouse
Meditation – Saturday, November 9, 2024
Luke 14: 1-11 (Forward, p 11) CEV p. 1080
Mealtimes were very special and important occasions for upper class, well to do Judeans at the time of Christ so it is hardly surprising that significant encounters took place during them. In today’s passage, Jesus has been invited out to dinner at the home of an important Pharisee.
Now, in light of will soon take place, one might well wonder whether this is not a ‘set up’, namely that the man with dropsy, edema, had been ‘planted’, had been brought there purposely to see what Jesus would do with him on the Sabbath. After all, the text tells us that ‘everyone was carefully watching Jesus’ and that the ill person suddenly appeared before them. However, before we read something into this, we need to consider two things. One is that Jesus was quite a celebrity, such that people would naturally want to see Him and observe His doings. And secondly, that homes in that part of the world were open to the air, and thus, open to the public. Strangers, uninvited guests, could easily meander in and make themselves at home.
Be that what is may, Jesus certainly ‘rose to the bait’, if bait it was. After asking a question of the Pharisees and teachers of the Law of Moses present, Jesus took hold of the man, healed him, and sent him away. And His question, “Is it right to heal on the Sabbath?” Given that they did not answer, He went ahead with the healing.
Jesus then follows up with yet another question, “If your child or your ox fell into a well, would you not mount a rescue, even if it was the Sabbath?” Here, then, sets up a curious tension. On the one hand, He puts something less lethal, that is, dropsy or edema, on the same level as a possible death by drowning or exposure. And, on the other hand, He pits people or animals that were valued with someone, the sick man, that probably wasn’t. And so, what becomes quite possible is that a certain amount of self-interest, selfishness, is present here.
And what was merely suggested or possible becomes apparent in the next portion. The guests at this meal scramble to get the best seats, the ones up front nearest to the host and hostess, where they will see and be seen. But Jesus tells them not to be so arrogant, so presumptuous. ‘Who knows’, He says, ‘if there will not be another guest that is more deserving or special and who the host or hostess singles out to occupy the seat you chose for yourself. You would be greatly embarrassed to be forced to vacant your seat so publicly and head off to an ignoble spot at the back. No, it would be better to sit back there right away, and then, if those who invited you wants you up front, they will make a big scene to call you forward. How very impressive that would be.
What this says to me is that even in the most innocuous of situations, even during such seemingly innocent occasions as a meal out in public, there can be selfish motives at work. Yes, during our driving or during a public meeting or gathering, or any such thing, yes, even during church. So, we need to be careful and vigilant, even at such times.
Forward notes: “Then he said to them, ‘If one of you has a child or an ox that has fallen into a well, will you not immediately pull it out on a sabbath day?’ And they could not reply to this” (verses 5-6).
“I think this question stumps the Pharisees because they can’t fathom the immense love Jesus has for us. And Jesus has this love not just for his disciples or the faithful in his community but for all people, regardless of their backgrounds or stories. Jesus likens healing a man on the sabbath to helping a child on the sabbath. Surely, to the Pharisees, a stranger and a child are different, taking different places of importance in our lives and allowing for different levels of compassion. But to Jesus, they are the same. Whether stranger, follower, foe, or other, Jesus loves each one of us as a beloved child. It is an extraordinary thing to be loved like that.”
Moving Forward: “How can you expand the boundaries of your love today?”