Jesus Commandeers the Table

In our sermon text, Jesus is invited to the Pharisee’s table. But as the story unfolds, Jesus says that the sinful woman has been the greater host. This is because hospitality is an act of love. The woman who was forgiven more, loved more, and therefore is the greater host. But Luke subtly shifts the ground beneath the Pharisee in another direction as well. While the table is associated with the Pharisee throughout the first half of the story, after Jesus points out that the woman has been the greater host by welcoming Jesus, by washing and anointing and kissing His feet after this, when Luke shifts focus back to the table, he speaks of those who are at the table with Jesus. As far as Luke is concerned, when a sinner welcomes and receives Jesus at a table, Jesus commandeers the table. No longer does it matter that this is a table in the house of the Pharisees; now everything revolves around Jesus. Now, everyone is at the table with Jesus. And this highlights the implied question. Luke shows us that it is possible to be at a meal with Jesus and yet not receive Jesus. It’s possible to sit a table with Jesus but not love Jesus. You may have all your theological ducks in a row. You may know all the right answers. But without love, your knowledge is nothing. We don’t know how Simon responded. We don’t know if he was ultimately offended or if he humbled himself and followed the woman’s example. But everyone us still has that choice. We come to this table week after week, and it really is the same choice. Jesus calls each of us by name, and He desires to know us, to assure us of His love and forgiveness. And you do not earn that love or forgiveness. Faith is not being good. Faith is not having everything all together. Faith is knowing that you aren’t good, that you don’t have everything together. Faith is simply falling at the feet of Jesus and finding forgiveness and peace. So come. This table is for sinners.