Judge Jesus
Jesus is not in a “religious” setting in this story. He is at a social event. He is not there as a teacher in an educational setting. He is at a table sharing food with others. He is a guest. And yet, no sooner has the dinner begun that Jesus launches into a series of parables and teaching that judge both the behavior of the guests and the host. Jesus the guest becomes Jesus the judge. He thereby shows that his kingdom is counter to their expectations for God’s realm.