The Banquet Challenge

<p>Introduction</p><p>Mealtime is the best time for sharing, and for building each other up. It is also a time when families can share with each other building strong bonds. It ought to be a place of honesty, commitment, love and understanding. We guarded our mealtimes with our children as they grew up.  </p><p>Dr. Luke Johnson points out, in his commentary on Luke, another purpose for meals within both Hellenistic and Jewish society in the times of Jesus:  such gatherings were called a symposium, or a gathering of academics, leaders, philosophers to discuss important ideas. Again, we see the Pharisees inviting Jesus to such a gathering around a meal on the sabbath – and each time this has happened, Jesus heals someone to the dismay of the hosts. From Luke chapter 6, we see the Pharisees and lawyers plotting to discredit Jesus, indeed,: “they themselves were filled with rage, and discussed together what they might do to Jesus.”  Luke 6:11</p><p>The question arises in my mind: does doing good merit evil responses? What does that mean for us as Christians when we share Jesus with this world?</p><p>Read text</p><p>Obviously Jesus knows the intentions of the Pharisees when the chief Pharisee invites him, so why does he go?  He obviously is not afraid of their power, authority, anger or threats.  He is confident and sure of himself. Is he looking for confrontation or to win a fight and thereby gain even more followers?  No, but his objective is to fulfill his purpose as in Luke 4:18: ““THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED,” This is his great Love for all people, not just to bring deliverance to those who are literally blind, but also to those who are so caught up in themselves that they are deceived about who God is and His purposes in life. It is for love that Jesus goes onto these events to expose sin and God’s forgiveness and deliverance f