Kingdom Prayer: The Gospel of Luke With N.T. WrightSýnishorn

This passage about social expectations is not just prudential advice or moral teaching. It is a parable, which already means it contains a deeper meaning. In this case, that meaning concerns questions of belonging to God’s family, and warnings to those over-sure of their place in God’s Kingdom. Using the guests’ very real fears of social embarrassment to make the point, Jesus reminds them that those who try to muscle their way into the best positions will inevitably be humbled, whether at a wedding feast or in God’s Kingdom. Likewise, the humble will go home justified.

Where have we seen these themes before? This is the divine reversal of the Magnificat, set to practical example to drive the point home. Just as the Magnificat links up in the narrative to John the Baptist’s more specific preaching about social care, so does this parable give way to specific commands about helping the poor. Using the same image of the banquet to seamlessly guide his audience, Jesus shifts from parable to real-world application. Don’t invite your rich and powerful friends to your supper. Instead, invite the poor, hungry, disabled, and outcast.

Interestingly, this command is more than theoretical. It has a reasoning behind it. It is precise because this second round of guests can’t repay you that they should be invited. This goes against the traditional etiquette standards of reciprocity in that time (and to a large extent in ours). But it conforms to the priorities of God’s Kingdom. You’ll be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous, Jesus says. What this does, aside from advocating for a reordering of social boundaries, is set the listeners’ minds to thinking on and anticipating the things of the future, of God’s New Age.

Reflection:

Who are the outcasts in your community, and what resources can you contribute to welcoming them?