To listen to the full unabridged audio listen here: The Scandalous Guest List
Today is Super Bowl Sunday—a day synonymous with gatherings, snacks, and “sportsball.” Whether you’re there for the game or just the commercials, it’s one of those rare nights where everyone chills out and has a good time.
But in the first century, parties were a different story. They weren’t “democratic” like ours today; they were highly structured, intentional, and governed by strict social rules. This context makes the story of Jesus at a dinner party in Luke 14:1-14 all the more shocking.
The Mirror of the Pharisee
In this passage, Jesus is invited to the home of a prominent Pharisee. It’s easy for us to cast the Pharisees as the “bad guys,” but in reality, they were the “devout believers” of their time. They loved God, studied Scripture, and tried to live faithfully.
If we are people who go to church, pray, and center our lives on God, the Pharisees are our people. They are a mirror for us. When Jesus challenges them, he is challenging us.
Flipping the Script
While at the party, Jesus notices guests scrambling for the “places of honor.” He offers a counter-cultural lesson on humility: “For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
In an age where the most desired career for emerging generations is to be a “social media influencer,” this message of self-abasement feels more radical than ever. But Jesus doesn’t stop at personal humility; he turns his attention to the guest list itself.
“When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors… But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed.”
The “Arm’s Length” People
Jesus’ challenge is simple but devastating: Don’t just invite the people who are just like you. It’s easy to do life with people who share our socioeconomic status, our politics, or our background. That’s comfortable. But Jesus points toward those on the fringes—the people who cannot repay the favor. In the first century, that meant the disabled and the destitute. Today, it refers to whoever is on the “outside” of your specific circle.
Who are the “arm’s length” people for you?
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The person whose politics make your blood boil?
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The neighbor who is “messy” or struggling with addiction?
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The people who have a completely different lifestyle or worldview?
The Scandal of the Gospel
The scandal of the Gospel is that it isn’t just for the “normies” or the people who have it all figured out. It is for everyone.
Inviting “those people” to your table—to your Super Bowl party, your dinner table, or your life—is costly. It might cost you your social standing or make your religious friends uncomfortable. People might even “side-eye” you for who you’re seen with.
But that is exactly where Jesus is.
A “Triple Dog Dare”
This week, I have a challenge for you. It’s a “triple dog dare” of the highest order:
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Be Honest: Identify who “those people” are for you. Don’t say “I love everyone”—we all have a group we’d rather keep at a distance.
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Pray for a Relationship: Ask God for the privilege of building a genuine relationship with someone from that group.
Imagine if our communities were filled with people who loved one another without condition, simply because we are all image-bearers of the divine. That wouldn’t just be a nice party; it would be a glimpse of heaven on earth.