If Jesus Came To Dinner

If Jesus Came To Dinner

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If Jesus Came To Dinner

If Jesus came to dinner, how would you handle it? What would you do? What would you serve, and how would it be served? How do you think your actions would convey your feelings towards Him? Today, we are going to look at this and the customs of the day, when Jesus was invited to dinner, and when He held His own.

• Jesus knocks at our door!

Revelation 3:20-21 “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with me.  (21)  He who overcomes, I will give to him to sit down with me on my throne, as I also overcame, and sat down with my Father on his throne.”

• We must knock at Jesus’ door!

Matthew 7:7-8 “Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you.  (8)  For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened.”

For The Manners & Customs Presented, I Used The Following Works:

• “The Essential Manners and Customs” By Ralph Gower
• “The New Manners and Customs of the Bible” By James M. Freeman

Let Us Remember That The Kingdom Of Heaven Is Like A King Who Prepares A Wedding Feast.  Read: Matthew 22:2-14

Matthew 22:2 “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a certain king, who made a marriage feast for his son,”

We must keep in mind that feasts, banquets, and dinners were often present when covenants and binding agreements were made. Cleary, we can see this in the Passover Meal that Jesus partook with His disciples.

Joshua 9:14-16  “The men sampled their provisions, and didn’t ask counsel from Yahweh’s mouth.  (15)  Joshua made peace with them, and made a covenant with them, to let them live. The princes of the congregation swore to them.  (16)  At the end of three days after they had made a covenant with them, they heard that they were their neighbors, and that they lived among them.”

As we can see here, this is exactly what Jesus did at the Lord’s Supper.

Matthew 26:27-28  “He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave to them, saying, “All of you drink it,  (28)  for this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the remission of sins.”

If Jesus Came To Dinner

The Greeting

Bow, Wash The Feet, Give Water To Drink, Give A Holy Kiss, Anoint The Head.

Luke 7:44-46 “Turning to the woman, he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered into your house,

• and you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head.  
• (45)  You gave me no kiss, but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss my feet.
•  (46) You didn’t anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment.”

See: Genesis 18:4; Judges 19:21; 1 Samuel 10:1; Romans 16:16; & Psalms 23:5 for more.

If Jesus Came To Dinner

They didn’t wash or allow Jesus to wash His feet, to remove the dirt and grime of the streets and pathways. Forcing Him to sit at the meal, dirty and unwashed. So, keep that in mind when Mary was washing His feet- His very dirty feet. Walking away with the filth of the earth stuck to her hair, contaminating her head.

We can assume they did the customary bow, as it was not mentioned as missing.

Genesis 18:2-3 “He lifted up his eyes and looked, and saw that three men stood near him. When he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself to the earth,  (3)  and said, “My lord, if now I have found favor in your sight, please don’t go away from your servant.”

As we see, the lady must be bowing to use her hair to wipe Jesus’ feet.

Luke 7:37-38 “Behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that he was reclining in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster jar of ointment.  (38)  Standing behind at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and she wiped them with the hair of her head, kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.”

We can assume that they gave Him drink, as it was not mentioned as missing.

Genesis 24:17-18  “The servant ran to meet her, and said, “Please give me a drink, a little water from your pitcher.”  (18)  She said, “Drink, my lord.” She hurried, and let down her pitcher on her hand, and gave him a drink.”

Mark 9:41 “For whoever will give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because you are Christ’s, most certainly I tell you, he will in no way lose his reward.”

If Jesus Came To Dinner

Table Placement

During the time of Israel and Judah, they set the tables in what was called “Triclinium.” Three tables were set around a square, with access to the middle gained through the side for servants to come and add and take away the food. Couches were arranged along the outside of the tables. Guest where given cushions to recline and relax on these elevated couches.

As we see here, Jesus and John were reclining together.

John 13:22-26 “The disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom he spoke.  (23)  One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was at the table, leaning against Jesus’ breast.  (24)  Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, and said to him, “Tell us who it is of whom he speaks.”  (25)  He, leaning back, as he was, on Jesus’ breast, asked him, “Lord, who is it?”  (26)  Jesus therefore answered, “It is he to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.”

This set up allowed the servant to wash the feet of the guests while they continued the banquet. This very same set up could have been used by Jesus when He washed the disciples’ feet.

John 13:3-17  “Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he came from God, and was going to God,  (4)  arose from supper, and laid aside his outer garments. He took a towel, and wrapped a towel around his waist.  (5)  Then he poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.  (6)  Then he came to Simon Peter. He said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?”  (7)  Jesus answered him, “You don’t know what I am doing now, but you will understand later.”  (8)  Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I don’t wash you, you have no part with me.”  (9)  Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!”  (10)  Jesus said to him, “Someone who has bathed only needs to have his feet washed, but is completely clean. You are clean, but not all of you.”  (11)  For he knew him who would betray him, therefore he said, “You are not all clean.”  (12)  So when he had washed their feet, put his outer garment back on, and sat down again, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you?  (13)  You call me, ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord.’ You say so correctly, for so I am.  (14)  If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.  (15)  For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.  (16)  Most certainly I tell you, a servant is not greater than his lord, neither one who is sent greater than he who sent him.  (17) If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.”

If Jesus Came To Dinner

The Seat Of  Honor

Matthew 23:6 “And they love the first couch at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,”

Luke 14:8-10 “When you are invited by anyone to a wedding, do not recline in the chief seat, lest a more honorable man than you may be invited by him.  (9)  And he who invited you and him shall come and say to you, Give place to this man; and then you begin with shame to take the last place.  (10)  But when you are invited, go and recline in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes, he may say to you, Friend, go up higher. Then glory shall be to you before those reclining with you.”

The Place To The Immediate Right Is The Highest Place Of Honor.

Mark 10:36-40 “He said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?”  (37)  They said to him, “Grant to us that we may sit, one at your right hand, and one at your left hand, in your glory.”  (38)  But Jesus said to them, “You don’t know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”  (39)  They said to him, “We are able.” Jesus said to them, “You shall indeed drink the cup that I drink, and you shall be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with;  (40)  but to sit at my right hand and at my left hand is not mine to give, but for whom it has been prepared.”

If Jesus Came To Dinner

The Token: The Morsel

The honored guest was given a “Token” meal by the host of the banquet. They used a piece of bread as a spoon and dipped it in the presented food. Then it was fed to the most honored guest. It was called the “Morsel.”

• This Was The First Meal, Or Passover.

John 13:26-27 “Jesus therefore answered, “It is he to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.  (27)  After the piece of bread, then Satan entered into him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.”

• We See This Again In The Lord’s Supper, Given To All The Disciples.

Matthew 26:26 “As they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks for it, and broke it. He gave to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.”

The main dinner was called the “Cena” It was 3 courses and made to be beautiful. The guest would eat with their fingers, unless it was soup, eggs, or shellfish. Then they would use spoons. To end it, there was a desert of pastry and fruit.

If Jesus Came To Dinner

Entertainment

After the meal, there was a time of entertainment. With songs and reading of poetry, proverbs were exchanged, along with much conversation.

Amos 6:4-6 “Who lie on beds of ivory, and stretch themselves on their couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the middle of the stall;  (5)  who strum on the strings of a harp; who invent for themselves instruments of music, like David;  (6)  who drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the best oils; but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph.”

John 13:31-35  “When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him.  (32)  If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and he will glorify him immediately.  (33)  Little children, I will be with you a little while longer. You will seek me, and as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, you can’t come,’ so now I tell you.  (34)  A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also love one another.  (35)  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

John 14:1-31 “Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God. Believe also in me.  (2)  In my Father’s house are many homes. If it weren’t so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you.  (3)  If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and will receive you to myself; that where I am, you may be there also.  (4)  Where I go, you know, and you know the way.”  (5)  Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going. How can we know the way?”  (6)  Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.  (7)  If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on, you know him, and have seen him.”  (8)  Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.”  (9)  Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you such a long time, and do you not know me, Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father. How do you say, ‘Show us the Father?’  (10)  Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? The words that I tell you, I speak not from myself; but the Father who lives in me does his works.  (11)  Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me; or else believe me for the very works’ sake.  (12)  Most certainly I tell you, he who believes in me, the works that I do, he will do also; and he will do greater works than these, because I am going to my Father.  (13)  Whatever you will ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  (14)  If you will ask anything in my name, I will do it.  (15)  If you love me, keep my commandments.  (16)  I will pray to the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, that he may be with you forever:  (17)  the Spirit of truth, whom the world can’t receive; for it doesn’t see him, neither knows him. You know him, for he lives with you, and will be in you.  (18)  I will not leave you orphans. I will come to you.  (19)  Yet a little while, and the world will see me no more; but you will see me. Because I live, you will live also.  (20)  In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.  (21)  One who has my commandments, and keeps them, that person is one who loves me. One who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him, and will reveal myself to him.”  (22)  Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, what has happened that you are about to reveal yourself to us, and not to the world?”  (23)  Jesus answered him, “If a man loves me, he will keep my word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him, and make our home with him.  (24)  He who doesn’t love me doesn’t keep my words. The word which you hear isn’t mine, but the Father’s who sent me.  (25)  I have said these things to you, while still living with you.  (26)  But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and will remind you of all that I said to you.  (27)  Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, give I to you. Don’t let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful.  (28)  You heard how I told you, ‘I go away, and I come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I said ‘I am going to my Father;’ for the Father is greater than I.  (29)  Now I have told you before it happens so that when it happens, you may believe.  (30)  I will no more speak much with you, for the prince of the world comes, and he has nothing in me.  (31)  But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father commanded me, even so I do. Arise, let’s go from here.

For the remainder of the conversation, read: John Chapters 15-17

If Jesus Came To Dinner

The “Hallel” was a song sang after Passover that was comprised of Psalms 113 – 118.

From the “Adam Clarke Commentary”: “As to the hymn itself, we know, from the universal consent of Jewish antiquity, that it was composed of Psalm 113:1-9, Psalm 114:1-8, 115, 116, Psalm 117:1-2, and 118, termed by the Jews הלל halel, from הללו־יה halelu-yah,”

 It is thought that since Jesus was the host of the Passover, He would have recited the lines of the song, and the rest would respond with refrain, “Praise The Lord” (Hallelujah)

Matthew 26:30 “When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.”

If Jesus Came To Dinner

Here is Psalms 118 (Let’s do it the way Jesus might have.)

Psalms 118:1-29  “Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever.  

(2)  Let Israel now say that his loving kindness endures forever.  

(3)  Let the house of Aaron now say that his loving kindness endures forever.  

(4)  Now let those who fear Yahweh say that his loving kindness endures forever.

(5)  Out of my distress, I called on Yah. Yah answered me with freedom.  

(6)  Yahweh is on my side. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?  

(7)  Yahweh is on my side among those who help me. Therefore I will look in triumph at those who hate me.  

(8)  It is better to take refuge in Yahweh, than to put confidence in man.  

(9)  It is better to take refuge in Yahweh, than to put confidence in princes.  

(10)  All the nations surrounded me, but in Yahweh’s name, I cut them off.  

(11)  They surrounded me, yes, they surrounded me. In Yahweh’s name I indeed cut them off.

(12)  They surrounded me like bees. They are quenched like the burning thorns. In Yahweh’s name I cut them off.  

(13)  You pushed me back hard, to make me fall, but Yahweh helped me.  

(14)  Yah is my strength and song. He has become my salvation.  

(15)  The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tents of the righteous. “The right hand of Yahweh does valiantly.  

(16)  The right hand of Yahweh is exalted! The right hand of Yahweh does valiantly!”  

(17)  I will not die, but live, and declare Yah’s works.  

(18)  Yah has punished me severely, but he has not given me over to death.  

(19)  Open to me the gates of righteousness. I will enter into them. I will give thanks to Yah.  

(20)  This is the gate of Yahweh; the righteous will enter into it.  

(21)  I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me, and have become my salvation.  (22)  The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.  

(23)  This is Yahweh’s doing. It is marvelous in our eyes.  

(24)  This is the day that Yahweh has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it!  

(25)  Save us now, we beg you, Yahweh! Yahweh, we beg you, send prosperity now.  

(26)  Blessed is he who comes in Yahweh’s name! We have blessed you out of Yahweh’s house.  

(27)  Yahweh is God, and he has given us light. Bind the sacrifice with cords, even to the horns of the altar.

(28)  You are my God, and I will give thanks to you. You are my God, I will exalt you.  

(29)  Oh give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever.”

If Jesus Came To Dinner

Remain Timely

It was considered rude to leave earlier than when the host had planned.

Judges 19:4-11  “His father-in-law, the young lady’s father, kept him there; and he stayed with him three days. So they ate and drank, and stayed there.  (5)  On the fourth day, they got up early in the morning, and he rose up to depart. The young lady’s father said to his son-in-law, “Strengthen your heart with a morsel of bread, and afterward you shall go your way.”  (6)  So they sat down, ate, and drank, both of them together. Then the young lady’s father said to the man, “Please be pleased to stay all night, and let your heart be merry.”  (7)  The man rose up to depart; but his father-in-law urged him, and he stayed there again.  (8)  He arose early in the morning on the fifth day to depart; and the young lady’s father said, “Please strengthen your heart and stay until the day declines;” and they both ate.  (9)  When the man rose up to depart, he, and his concubine, and his servant, his father-in-law, the young lady’s father, said to him, “Behold, now the day draws toward evening, please stay all night. Behold, the day is ending. Stay here, that your heart may be merry; and tomorrow go on your way early, that you may go home.”  (10)  But the man wouldn’t stay that night, but he rose up and departed, and toward Jebus (also called Jerusalem). With him were a couple of saddled donkeys. His concubine also was with him.  (11)  When they were by Jebus, the day was far spent; and the servant said to his master, “Please come and let’s enter into this city of the Jebusites, and stay in it.”

John 14:31 “But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father commanded me, even so I do. Arise, let’s go from here.”

John 18:1 “When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples over the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, into which he and his disciples entered.”

If Jesus Came To Dinner

A Misunderstanding

Marry and Martha: Martha misunderstood who was serving who. Jesus, being the bread of life, was giving the feast of the words of life.

Luke 10:38-42  “As they went on their way, he entered into a certain village, and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.  (39)  She had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.  (40)  But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she came up to him, and said, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister left me to serve alone? Ask her therefore to help me.”  (41)  Jesus answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things,  (42)  but one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the good part, which will not be taken away from her.”

• Jesus is the bread of life.

John 6:51 “I am the living bread which came down out of heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. Yes, the bread which I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”

• Jesus is the word of life.

John 6:68 “Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life.”

Later, Martha Got It Right.

John 12:2 “So they made him a supper there. Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with him.

If Jesus Came To Dinner

Let The Truth Be Made Known!

1 John 4:15-21  “Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God remains in him, and he in God.  (16)  We know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and he who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him.  (17)  In this love has been made perfect among us, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment, because as he is, even so are we in this world.  (18)  There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has punishment. He who fears is not made perfect in love.  (19)  We love him, because he first loved us.  (20)  If a man says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who doesn’t love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?  (21)  This commandment we have from him, that he who loves God should also love his brother.” 

If Jesus Came To Dinner

If Jesus Came To Dinner

If Jesus Came To Dinner