THE SOCIAL JESUS
(Or, "The Man Who Came To Dinner")

INTRODUCTION--

1. On a few occasions, I have heard people say that if Jesus were with us today, they would like to entertain him at a feast.
   
2. It is true that Jesus was "social," in that he attended such things (Weddings, Suppers, Banquets). He was also once a host, when He invited his disciples to eat the Last Supper with Him.
   
3. However, the dinners at which Jesus was a guest were not always "social."

LESSON--

1. Some dinners Jesus attended produced positive good.
   
   1. With Zacchaeus. Luke 19:1-10 (Dinner not mentioned, but implied.)
      
      1. The generosity of Jesus to a Publican impressed the sinner to repent.
         
      2. Jesus said, "Today is salvation come to this house."
         
   2. With Matthew Levi, another publican. Matthew 9:9-13
      
      1. Critics of Jesus' policy of eating with sinners were answered.
         
      2. Publicans and harlots welcomed the Kingdom. Matthew 21:31b-32
         
2. Some dinners contained loving rebuke to the hosts and others.
   
   1. With Mary and Martha, whom Jesus loved (John 11:5). Luke 10:38-42
      
   2. With His mother and disciples at a wedding feast. John 2:1-11
      
   3. With the risen Lazarus at Bethany. John 12:1-8
      
      1. Jesus rebukes Judas. (He rebuked all the disciples in Matthew.)
         
      2. In the Matthew account, Mary is defended. Matthew 26:10-13
         
   4. With His disciples at the Last Supper. John 13-17
      
      1. He rebuked Peter twice. 13:5-9, 36-38
         
      2. He rebuked Philip. 14:1-11
         
   5. Finally, with His disciples "at meat" after His resurrection. Mark 16:14
      
3. One dinner contained a long series of rebukes for the hosts. Luke 11:37-54 (The disciples were warned to avoid such "leaven." Luke 12:1-5)

APPLICATION--

1. After seeing how Jesus conducted himself at dinner, would you like to invite him to your house for a meal?
   
2. Jesus never let etiquette prevent Him from presenting timely truth, even if it might spoil appetites.
   
3. We need to be reminded that, even though Jesus is not physically present, He is spiritually present at our tables every time we eat. Hebrews 4:13