Scripture Reading: Luke 14.1-24 He who humbles himself will be exalted. Luke 14.11

Good Morning.

"Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu Meleck Ha-olam, Bo-ray P’ree Ha-gawfen" ("Blessed art Thou, O Lord, our God, King of the Universe, who bringeth forth the fruits of the vine"). The setting for our passage today is around the Jewish dinner table, and this is one of the prayers that would have been offered to God. There were three staples on the Jewish table, you see--bread, salt, and wine. Each of these symbolized some aspect of the Torah. So we find Jesus dining at the home of a "prominent" Pharisee. First, does it surprise you that Jesus would accept the invitation, knowing how scornful the Pharisees were toward Him? We have read throughout Luke, that they were always looking for some way to trip Him up--and as He gets closer to Jerusalem, they will join with other Jewish leaders and want Jesus dead... So, while Jesus knew what was in the Pharisee's heart, He went to his house for dinner anyway.

Now mealtime, particularly dinner, was a much different experience for the Jews--the Jews practiced Bircath Hamazon (called "benching" after the Yiddish term benshen), a time for family celebration, fellowship, and worship around the table that had come to be seen as an altar. Theirs was not the 'Let's hurry up and eat, my television show is coming on. . .', or even 'Soccer practice starts in 15 minutes--come on, come on. . .' , or 'I'm really not hungry, I had a late snack, and I'm finishing my homework.' No, mealtime was set apart--it was time to eat, of course--but, the table was also a place to recline and to enjoy family and friends. And while Christians today often issue a quick word of 'grace' or 'thanks' or 'bless this food' before eating, early Christians continued 'benching' prayers, based on Deuteronomy 8.10 - ''When you have eaten and are full, then you shall bless the Lord thy God for the good land which He has given you." Meal>>then a time of prayer. Time was spent in the breaking of bread, and in the Word of God, followed by a time of prayer. (Acts 2.42) Families, in particular, could take a page out of this book; rather than rushing to the next activity, sure to be solo in nature, we could pause for Scripture reading and prayer.

When I was a child, I would sometimes have dinner at my friend's house. I liked going there because she was one of six girls, so the table was always lively and noisy. After dinner, "Pop" would read from The Daily Bread, a little devotional book, and pray. I remember well his thickly-accented voice--having immigrated from Holland during the war--lifting prayer to God. It didn't last very long, but this nightly practice sure was meaningful.

In Luke 14's meal scene, we find three segments: a Sabbath healing, in which Jesus' compassion for the man who had painful, debilitating swelling in all his joints, led Him to heal the man, putting the man over the legality of the Sabbath. God would not be contained by the Pharisees' legalism. Sometimes we miss what God is doing because we think we know how He will act. Dangerous.

A teaching on humility, where Jesus illustrates the value of thinking rightly of ourselves, shedding light on Proverbs 25, verses 6 and 7. "In humility, consider others better than yourselves." Philippians 2.3

The closing parable points out the sadness of the lost opportunity. . . the reality of the ignored invitation, the assumption there will always be another chance. I remember a guy I knew in college, who had known and followed God, but decided to take a leave of absence on all things Christian. Choosing to live a sin-filled life, he declared he would one day return to God when he had lived a little. "That will cramp my style" is the college sentiment, while "I don't need a crutch" comes later in life. Obviously, this places God in the position of waiting on us. . . foolish pride, without doubt. The humility of the poor, crippled, destitute --those that cannot repay anything--is attractive to the Father, and He will reward it.

It is not surprising that Jesus took the opportunity of meal time to love, heal, and teach His fellow diners, (and us). I am sorry that we have come so far from the practice of 'benching' prayer, causing us to stay a while around the table. . . God's table. . . but hey, this is a great time to give it a try in our homes, huh? I just heard one of you say, 'sounds good--what do we do again?' Either pick up a little devotional book with Scripture reading and inspiration, or choose a short passage of Scripture; then pray together as a family, now that bellies are full. . . encourage each family member to pray aloud, either giving thanks or offering up a request to the Father.

"Time for dinner ". . . why don't you stay a while tonight?

Christine