Jesus’ Dinner Plans
We will see Jesus’ dinner plans on two separate occasions. One is an invitation and the other is Him laying aside His plans to minister to the people.
I admit freely that I’m still struggling with putting Jesus’ life in order. I have no idea if I am even close right now. I’m working with, and tweaking, a chronological list I found that someone else had compiled. I’m leaving the two ‘dinner’ stories together for want of a better solution.
Jesus is a dinner guest in the first story. A broken woman finds out about His dinner plans and pours her heart out in service to Him. Jesus rewards her loving ministration with love and forgiveness. This is the first time Jesus receives such treatment.
The second ‘dinner’ story starts with Jesus forgoing food in favor of ministering to the people. SO MANY people come to Jesus for help, that He has no time for ‘self-care’. His family hears about this and comes to ‘rescue’ Him. They want to take Him home and care for His ailing mind. “He’s NUTS to push Himself like this!” Jesus’ willingness to put others first sparks a whole host of events.
Let’s rejoin the story in the home of Simon, the Pharisee. Holy Spirit, You know my heart and how I truly want to see, and share, Jesus’ story. You also know the mental struggle I’m facing today. Take me beyond that struggle and into Your story. Show me what You want me to learn today and take for my walk with Jesus.
♥ ♦ ♥
Jesus is moving from city to city in the region of Galilee; ministering to the people. Crows follow Him wherever He goes. He has to work hard to find time for Himself. Today, He is in the town of Bethsaida. The crowds are so thick that Jesus’ disciples have to move them back physically to allow Jesus any room to move about.
While Jesus is ministering to the people today, Simon, one of the Pharisees from this town approaches Him.
“Jesus, I would be most honored if You would dine with me at evening.”
Jesus smiles at him. He knows his heart. He is not ‘fully sold’ on who Jesus is, but his heart is searching.
“It would be my pleasure” Jesus replies.
Jesus finished ministering to the crowd and then He and His disciples prepared for dinner.
“I want you to be prepared. Our host is not going to seat us together. His heart is struggling to accept My words, but he is still a self-righteous man. Enjoy your meal, wherever he seats you and KNOW that I have everything in control.”
When Jesus and His disciples arrive at the home of Simon, they are all welcomed inside. Jesus is brought forward to sit near Simon, at the head of the table. His disciples are relegated to a back corner table. They can see one another but not interact without shouting.
Dinner is served and everyone is engaged in pleasant conversation. Through the servant’s door, a woman enters the banquet room. She was in the street when Jesus was ministering earlier. He set her free of demons. Her joy was complete, hearing that Jesus will be dining at the home of Simon. She knows the servants and they have always been kind to her.
After being freed of her demons, the woman rushes home to prepare a special gift for Jesus. The thought of it settled in her heart the moment she heard the invitation. She has a bottle of costly perfume. It was a gift from one of her ‘suitors’ who came to spend the evening in her home. She was saving this perfume for a special purpose. “There can be NOTHING more special than anointing the Lord with it” she says in her heart.
The woman makes her way through the banquet hall and quietly kneels at Jesus’ feet. Tears are freely flowing from her eyes, like quiet mountain streams. Jesus’ feet are extended behind Him, as Simon prefers the reclining position for his banquet guests. Jesus doesn’t see her immediately, but Simon does. His eyes widen in surprise as she pulls from her robe an alabaster jar. He watches as she sets it beside her.
Jesus felt her approach. He KNOWS her heart and how it is aching to shower Him with love. He remains still as her tears begin falling on His feet. They are warm and refreshing. The woman reaches up and unties her hair, letting if fall from its pins. Her hair reaches the ground. She begins using her hair to wipe Jesus’ feet free of dirt and tears. After His feet are clean, she begins kissing them. Then she breaks open her jar of perfume and begin applying it to Jesus’ feet. The aroma fills the room.
Jesus is watching Simon. His face initially went white, but now it is rising in color; coming close to scarlet. His eyes have narrowed in suspicion as Jesus allows the woman to touch His feet. In his heart he is thinking; “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner” (Luke 7:39).
Just before Simon bursts out in anger, Jesus speaks up. “Simon, I have something to tell you” (Luke 7:40a).
Simon’s attention is grabbed by Jesus’ words. “Tell me, teacher,” (Luke 7:40b) he says.
“Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?” (Luke 7:41-42) Jesus asks.
It only takes a second for Simon to come up with his answer. “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven” (Luke 7:43a).
Jesus nods and says; “You have judged correctly,” (Luke 7:43b).
While still speaking with Simon, Jesus turns His face towards the woman. Love is shining in His eyes as he says; “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little” (Luke 7:44-47).
The woman looks up at Jesus words. He locks eyes with her and says, straight to her spirit; “Your sins are forgiven” (Luke 7:48).
Murmurs erupt around the room as the guests begin to question Jesus’ words. “Who is this who even forgives sins?” (Luke 7:49).
Jesus hears their words but gives them no attention. Still in a personal encounter with the woman, He says to her; “Your faith has saved you; go in peace” (Luke 7:50).
She kisses Jesus’ feet one last time before gathering her empty jar. She stands fully erect, head held high, and exits the room by the front door. She is no longer ashamed, for Jesus has forgiven her! He has healed her completely; inside and out.
After her departure, the conversation is stilted. Many of the elite in attendance quickly finish their meal and make their excuses to the host. “I’m sorry, I forgot a prior obligation I had. I must go and attend to it now.”
Simon nods his ‘understanding’ but does not rise to escort them out. He is still processing what he has seen and heard tonight. “Can Jesus truly forgive sins? I know I would be the laughing stock of the Pharisees if I believed that. But… Could He…”
When the meal finally concludes, Jesus, His disciples, and Simon are the last to leave the table. Jesus looks at Simon as he escorts them to the door. “Think long about what you have seen and heard here. And, yes, I can forgive your sins as well; if you will only allow Me to do so.”
Simon’s eyes fill with tears. Jesus KNOWS his heart! “Thank You Jesus. I would like that very much.”
“Simon, your sins are forgiven. Be it done unto you according to your faith.”
Simon watches Jesus and His disciples disappear into the night. He knows that he will not be the same again after this encounter.
The woman likewise reflects on this night. She will never be the same again either. She decides this night that she will follow Jesus wherever He goes. And she will use all her resources to ensure that He has whatever she can give Him.
The next morning, the crowds are smaller. People have heard of the dinner and Jesus’ works there. Many are upset with Jesus for saying that He can forgive sins. Heal people; no problem. Forgive sins; only God can do that!
Jesus leaves for home that same day. He and His disciples make their way to Capernaum, with a growing crowd greeting them along the way. When evening comes, Jesus is tired. They go to the home of Simon, also called Peter. Simon’s wife sits a meal before them, but the people following Jesus are at the door, peering through the windows, and calling out to Him. There is NO relaxing with a meal.
Jesus stands up, intending to go to the door. His disciples hurry to rise as well. Jesus motions them to stay where they are. “I will take care of the people. You eat.”
“But what about You? Don’t You need to eat as well?”
“I will be fine. My Abba will give Me strength.”
They watch as Jesus opens the door and steps out into the crowd, pulling the door closed behind Him. Jesus stays outside long into the night. His disciples join Him as soon as they have finished their meal. They try to get Jesus to go inside, but He refuses to leave the people until they are all ministered to.
Finally, everyone is gone. It is nearing dawn. Jesus tells His disciples; “I need to go and find a quiet place to pray.”
John stands in front of Jesus with a loaf of bread. “Jesus, we love You with ALL our hearts and will never stand in the way of Your alone time. But, PLEASE take something to eat with You.”
John won’t move until Jesus accepts the bread. They watch as He retreats from them; heading to His private place.
Jesus’ family has heard the reports of Jesus leaving the house to tend to the people.
With pain in her voice, Mary cries; “Don’t they realize that He is flesh and blood, just like the rest of us? He NEEDS rest. He NEEDS food. And He NEEDS to be left alone sometime!” Her heart aches for her Son.
Jude speaks up. “I’m going to go down to Capernaum and drag Him back home if I have to. He is going to kill Himself like this. He has to have lost touch with reality!”
The brothers all agree. Mary is relieved and decides to go along to lend her voice to the plea for Jesus to come with them. And the sisters agree to come prepare for His return while the brothers go to fetch Him. They all set out for Capernaum at first light. They arrive two days later.
Jesus is, once again, encased in another crowd. He is teaching in one of the larger homes in town. The crowd keeps growing the longer Jesus talks. There is no way Mary and the brothers can get anywhere near where Jesus is.
“What are we going to do” asks Jude.
Mary looks around and recognizes a few of the people. “I’m going to send Jesus a message. Let Him know that we want to speak to Him.”
She steps over and tells two of the women she recognizes that she and Jesus’ brothers want to speak privately with Him. She doesn’t tell anyone that they want to take Him away. She is certain that message would NOT make it to Him.
Slowly but surely, the message is passed through the crowd until it reaches the inner circle gathered around Jesus. Simon Peter is summoned over to the last link in the chain.
“Jesus’ mother and brothers are outside. They want a word with Him, privately. They have sent word through the crowd, since they couldn’t get in. Please let Jesus know.”
Simon nods and turns towards Jesus. He waits for Jesus to finish the though He is on right now before interrupting. When a pause presents itself, Simon speaks up.
“Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you” (Matthew 12:47).
Jesus knows what His family wants, and He is having no part of it. He looks around Himself at the rapt faces and smiles.
“Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” (Matthew 12:48). Jesus points to His disciples gathered around Him. “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother” (Matthew 12:49-50).
Word quickly makes its way back out to Jesus’ family. “He says His disciples are His mother, and brother, and sisters. ‘Those who do His will.’”
Mary understands. “I have to leave Him in Your hands” she silently prays. She turns to her sons. “Let’s go home. He is a fully grown man. He knows what He is doing and I trust that the Lord watches over Him. We can do no more here.”
The brothers are angry at Jesus’ response. “Who does He think He is anyway?” Rather than cause a fuss, they wrap their arms around Mary and take her home. His brother’s anger builds the seeds of resentment they have watered since they were children. One day, it will overshadow their relationship.
Jesus finds time to care for His physical needs and receives strength from His Abba that no one else understands. Yes. He is flesh and blood, but He is able to access ‘nourishment’ that others can’t.
(to be continued)
I can imagine being worried about your child. My daughter and her family were in Arizona for a time, and food was difficult for them. LIFE was difficult. By the time they came back from their ‘adventure’ my daughter had lost a significant amount of weight. She fed her husband and the children. She only ate if there was enough left after that. How I wish I could have given her food while she was so far away.
But Mary KNEW who Jesus was from the beginning. Was she convinced by her sons to go and get Jesus, or was it the other way around? Did her mother’s heart drive her or her son’s jealousy or ‘concern’? Either way, Jesus reaffirmed that He was different than the rest of us. He had access through a living Spirit to sources others didn’t.
We can access those resources through our relationship with Him. My mom tells of a time when she was called to fast. God spoke to her as she was getting ready to take a bite of toast. He said; “Don’t eat that. I will be your bread.” I don’t remember how long the fast lasted for, but until she was released from it by God, she didn’t eat and she didn’t suffer from it either. She lost weight but not strength.
Father God, You are my source. Today, I have been feeling sluggish and under the weather. But when I finally got into Your story, I feel revived. Thank You for that! Feed my spirit Father. Give me Your strength when mine is failing.
