Luke 14:1, 7-14: Whose Table?
Lectionary: Luke 14:1, 7-14
This passage presents a direct challenge to those in positions of power. We, like the gospel writer and their audience, live in a time where the values of the empire are dominant and have infused every aspect of society including religion. Imperial values assert the necessity of sitting at or near the head of the table, building wealth, and protecting one’s social standing by only interacting with those of similar or higher rank.
In a world dominated by empire, we are encouraged to always seek the highest position and to build our relationships on reciprocity. The value of other human beings is based on what they can or cannot do for us.
This section hints at the Kingdom of God adhering to a different set of values. In Luke and in the other gospels, the Kingdom of God is presented as a dinner table. So in this passage, Jesus is pointing out that God’s Kingdom is different. In God’s Kingdom those who think they are at the head of the table on earth will face a rude awakening. Jesus’ words are a warning and a call to action to make changes now.
Obviously, I think that is an important lesson that many American Christians particularly those who are near the top of the socio and political hierarchy to need to learn. We see the need for this lesson play out daily: when politicians proudly wear their faith on their sleeve, while also giving tax breaks to giant corporations and at the same time, cutting safety net programs. Or when health care and higher education are treated as a right only to those wealthy enough to afford them.
And even Christians who consider themselves to be on the more progressive side and who seem to endorse all the “right” justice issues, could use a reminder in the ways in which they may intentionally or not, further the values of empire over that of the kingdom.
That explicit message is vitally important. And I would argue that there is an implicit message in this passage. Explicitly this message is geared towards those in positions of power and those who endorse the value of empire, but I want us to consider what this passage says to the poor and to the marginalized.
In spaces of power the dominant readings and interpretations of scripture often reflect that position of privilege and that can be problematic in that even verses that are the most vocal about putting the powerful in their place, can be interpreted in ways, intentionally or not, that actually reinforces the status quo.
For instance, this passage, when it is dealt with at all (because it can be and is often ignored) the focus tends to be on the resurrection of the righteous ie a time span far in the future or this passage is interpreted in ways that reinforce the idea of saviorism.
What do I mean by saviorism? Sometimes, well-meaning Christians who are in positions of power and are passionate about justice, look at this passage and say, “ok we need to just add more seats at the table. Let’s just get a few queer people, a few Black and brown people, a few poor people. And we will be good.”
But I would argue that the implicit message of this passage, a message that becomes more explicit later on in the chapter, is that the dinner table belongs to the marginalized. They aren’t just to be offered a token seat at the table, but the table is meant for them. In other words, the marginalized don’t just have the right to be invited to take a seat at the table, but they can demand to take their rightful place at the head of the table.
In the Kingdom of God, it is the marginalized who are distinguished and honored. The Kingdom of God subverts and inverts the values of the empire.
This passage tells those in power to step back and for the marginalized it empowers them to recognize their true standing within the Kingdom of God. Society, then and now, tells the marginalized that they are worthless, that they are to stay out of the way, they are to be silent, and maybe just maybe, if they are worthy enough, they can get the scrapes of the table. But this passage says, well actually the table belongs to them.
Reflection questions:
In what ways have you as an individual and in community (whether church community, activist community, family etc), excel in subverting and rejecting the values of the empire and supporting the values of the kingdom of God?
In what ways have you as an individual and in community, reinforced empire values ie the status quo and how can we more fully embrace the kingdom of God?
Image: A variety of delicious food on a table. Text: In the Kingdom of God, it is the marginalized who are distinguished and honored. The Kingdom of God subverts and inverts the values of the empire.
Great commentary.