At a banquet
But the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him,
In those who hope in his steadfast love. Psalm 147:11
Read Luke 14:7—11
At first blush this looks like advice on party etiquette, thoroughly consistent with Jesus’ attitude to relations on social occasions, and I can take it at that. Admittedly, I may take the advice in a way that leads to false modesty. It can look like being a cunning step ahead, how to avoid embarrassment, how not to be shown up. But when I look a second time I notice that this is called a parable. So now I read it accordingly. It’s a parable. You know, Jesus says, how, at a banquet, you don’t want to be too big for your boots? Well, my Father’s kingdom is like a banquet. There’s a way to come in. You come into my Father’s kingdom in all humility. But when you make the humblest, even apologetic entry, knowing your right to be there is God’s sheer grace, you’ll be overwhelmed by the welcome. And, yes, it will set your course for how to relate to everyone around you.
Loving Father, how good and gracious you are. I come to you and I am at a party. Those who know you in Christ and love you in the Spirit can never stop celebrating. To be at church is to celebrate. To be included in your company is none of my deserving, and all of your love exceeding any boundaries. So I thank you. You show me that as you are to me I can be to those around me. Superior to none. I can fete others and rejoice in others. May I truly find in those around me what I can genuinely enjoy, genuinely rejoice in, genuinely commend in them, and genuinely thank you for.