Every now and then, God peels back the curtain of heaven and offers us a glimpse into its glory. Sometimes it’s revealed as a judgment scene (Mt. 25:31-46). Sometimes it’s a military scene where God’s people meet the King after battle and escort him in a parade back to the city (1 Thess. 4:13-18). Sometimes the sky is pealed back to reveal the spiritual reality behind the curtain (2 Kng. 6:16-17). Sometimes God invites someone to step into heaven described it as gold streets and pearly gates (Rev. 4:1; 21:15,21).
Then there’s the great banquet meal, a theme often repeated throughout Matthew and Luke (Mt. 22:1-14; 25:1-13; 26:29; Lk. 14:15-24; 22:18 [I might add that Luke includes ten meals in his gospel all adding a layer to the heavenly or eschatological banquet]). Essentially, meals are important to God and his description of the meals invite us into a taste of eternal glory. In an ancient society where no middle class existed, poverty was pervasive and starvation was common, people were living day-to-day (Mt. 6:11a). Thus, a future meal, larger than any Thanksgiving meal we’ve experienced, with God at the head of the table, conjured visions of salivating delight.
Before exploring one of the banquet scenes in Luke 12, a little cultural background is needed. The role of the father and eldest son at the banquet is crucial to the heavenly banquet. During the first century if a family hosted a meal, the responsibility of the father, particularly the son, is to serve the guests. The Son waits on them hand and foot (literally ensuring the guests feet are washed, drinks are filled, and food is set). The father oversees the son to ensure the guests are made to feel welcomed. The shame occurring in Luke 15 is that the elder son refuses to take his place by his father’s side at the banquet for his brother. The greater shame is forcing the father to leave his guest to settle a family dispute. If the older son had questions about his father’s rights, he should have waited till the guests had left to address them. He should have honored his father by standing by his side.
We tend to have that reversed. Our culture, usually, places the women in the serving, hospitality role instead of the men. They cook the meals. They set the table. They welcome the guests. They refill the cups. Daughters are taught to serve while boys are allowed to play (generally).
I saw this worked out – in the worst negative way possible – at a home Cile and I were visiting. The wife and daughter prepared the meal for a church home group. The husband came in from work, washed his hands, ignored his guests and immediately plopped himself down in his recliner and faced the television. After his wife brought his soup to him, some spilled on him. He didn’t shout or yell, but his facial expression and gestures were filled with anger. His message was clear, she was there to serve him and had failed to do so. As I watched the scene unfold, I wanted to bop him in the head with my bible.
So the banquet scene unfolds in a context driven by service, watchfulness and faithfulness (Lk. 12:35-40). In the midst of Jesus’ exhortation, he describes himself as dressing to serve and waiting on those at the table (v. 37). Jesus doesn’t see himself as sitting at the head of the table barking orders, though he has the authority to do so. No, falling in line with his own character and cultural norms, he’s the eldest Son of the Father who honors God by serving us at heaven’s feast.
As I reflect on this future banquet scene, I almost can’t wait to sit at the table with Jesus with him asking, “Jon, is there anything else I can do for you?” It also makes me reevaluate my role as the host in my own home.
Soli Deo Gloria!
(i.e. only God is glorified)