Crashing the Party
Today’s object is a coupon.
When people clip coupons, they care about only two things.
- The promise of substantial savings.
- The conditions and expiration dates.
The lure of savings is in large, bold and probably red type.
The conditions and expiration date are microscopic.
Coupons work this way. They save you money only if you buy the product the issuer wants you to buy when they want you to buy it. Coupons are a way of controlling the market—while giving the illusion that it’s the consumer they care about.
The issuer of a coupon is sure that their offering is worthy. They are well-branded—rich and important. Giving a tiny bit—while factoring the gift into the cost—will add to their wealth and status.
But a heavenly coupon is different. The offer of salvation is in big, bold letters.
The fine print may surprise you.
Today’s gospel addresses our tendency to presume that because we have chosen to follow God that we are suddenly better than the other guy. We are in a position to showcase our superiority. We are the bearers of a valuable coupon that, if we read only the large print, leads us to believe:
- We are better than others.
- We are certainly better than sinners.
- We are better than the best people of other faiths and so much better than those who don’t believe at all.
Jesus addresses our self-satisfaction with a story of his own in today’s scripture. But for now, let’s stick to our own little parable.
The Pharisee read the coupon’s large print and issued his own coupon offer. At first, we are led to believe that Jesus alone has been invited to dinner. Later verses reveal that the dinner has many guests. So it’s a party! “Come to my party for Jesus. There is something in it for you!”
The Pharisee is maximizing his status. He is giving with the expectation of reward!
We in the church can do this, too.
The Pharisee’s dinner party is a show. A boast. The Pharisee can contribute to the cause and assure himself status in heaven and, for the time being, on earth.
Then, there is the small print. The disclaimer and the expiration date. The Pharisee’s coupon comes with conditions. Read carefully.
The Pharisee’s conditions are that you are already accepted in fine society, worthy to cross his threshold.
The woman who intrudes on this party has the original coupon. She read the small print. She saw the conditions — repent and believe. Expiration date? There is none!
This woman, already low in society’s ladder of importance, coupon in hand (so to speak), intrudes on a dinner party intended for the best of society. Not only is she a woman (not to be listened to) but she is recognized as a sinner. She is such a sinner that there is no need to address the sin. It’s taken for granted. Everyone knows.
The host and important guests are aghast. Who let her in?
Jesus, the guest of honor, applauds her daring. He points to her humility and sacrifice—her willingness to make a public spectacle of her devotion despite the shame and public ridicule she knows so well.
With the odds stacked against her, she wants her part of the promise. She read the fine print. She intends to redeem this coupon for full value.
And that is just fine with Jesus.