A Remarkable Dinner Party

The restrictions for dinner parties because of covid-19 guidelines creates a dilemma for large gatherings. There was a remarkable dinner party that is barely mentioned in the New Testament that deserves some attention. It is a remarkable story about the apostle Matthew with considerations we can bring to our next dinner celebration.

Matthew, son of Alphaeus, was a Hebrew with two names. Before his discipleship to Jesus, his public name was Levi  (meaning attached or joined).  His name was  tied to his tribe of Levi,  which was oriented to priestly service. This Levi was  not know for priestly service, however. Instead, he was despised for his occupation, ‘attached’ to the Romans. He was a tax collector.

The first mention of Matthew is in Matthew 9:9, where it says  “As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.” As a tax collector (aka Publicannus), the Roman government had assigned Matthew the task of collecting Roman taxes. For his own income, a tax collector could place whatever surcharge on the tax amount he wanted, as long as it did not cause the people to revolt. A tax collector was so reviled that Jewish people thought of them as ‘leeches’ and the term ‘publican’ was an equivalent word for  ‘sinner’.

Jesus and his mother had lived in Capernaum for years. It is likely Jesus had  paid taxes for his mother’s household, so he knew Matthew. Translations do not do justice to what happened in Matthew 9:10.   ¹⁰ While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples.  The original Greek phrasing actually refers to people reclining around a low table. The low table posture was used to refer to a formal banquet or dinner party.

Remarkable Commemoration

Dinner parties still happen today.  it is common to celebrate a worker’s service when they serve in a job for many years, then leave. It’s common to have a little party to celebrate the ‘I quit’ moment.  Matthew’s celebration would include people he worked with:  other tax collectors and also include Jesus’ disciples – with a resulting people mix that some may have found uncomfortable.

I imagine a lot of people have been to parties where they are uncomfortable with some of the other guests, because of some negative history. In recent media notes I have seen on other topics, the term used is “Suck it up!” More practically speaking, I suggest the following:

1. 1. Talk it out with someone you trust. In Matthew, a bad tone was not suggested, just the facts.
   2. Look for the positive in everything that happens, and do not focus on the negative.
   3. Don’t get angry. Honey is always more tasty than vinegar.
   4. When you reflect back on the party, commemorate the good times.

Remarkable Determination

Remarkable opportunity

 There is a remarkable opportunity in a large social gathering to share your faith. Most Christians would agree that a means to ‘break the ice’ — to discuss your faith, can be the hardest part of a conversation. In Jesus’ time, few disciples would have a social opportunity to speak to a tax collector. Perhaps the only time they would talk to a publican would be when they are paying their taxes. At a dinner party, the opportunity presents itself for everyone to mix.

If you add a local celebrity , such as the great teacher Jesus, it adds an extra notch of respectability and excitement to the event. I have met my state governor, the MO Secretary of State, my US congressman, and a few company presidents. Each meeting was an honor, that does not come along every day. We need to make the most of the opportunities we get.  As it says in Colossians 4  ⁴ Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. ⁵ Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. ⁶ Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.