Dinner With JesusSample

Put Your Guests First

Have you ever been to a dinner where one person dominated the conversation—and pretty much talked about themselves?

Jesus’ last supper—the Passover meal—with His disciples is filled with meaning. The scene as it is set reveals that Jesus is the Lamb of God, that in Christ there is a new covenant in which we are to remember His sacrifice through communion (Luke 22:14-38). Jesus is clearly the center of this meal.

Yet Jesus didn’t host this dinner for Himself. He was thinking of His disciples who had very little time left with Him to understand the significance of what was about to happen. His death and resurrection were going to change their lives and the world itself. He could have talked about His terrible suffering to come, but instead focused on what the disciples would need to remember from that night. He even humbled Himself to wash their feet, a job reserved for the lowest slave (John 13:1–17).

People in our circle of influence, especially those who don’t know Jesus, have an urgent need to know Him. When we lay aside our own desires to serve them with humility, Christ has the chance to shine. While it’s necessary to talk and answer questions, your role as host is to facilitate conversation, not dominate it. Focus on your guests, asking open-ended questions and listening for conversational topics that can point to Jesus. 

1. Have you been avoiding a conversation about Jesus with someone?
2. How can you prepare for important spiritual conversations?
3. In your next few conversations, practice asking people questions about what they said to learn more rather than immediately responding with your own story.