Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner Series

Throughout the Gospels, Jesus is frequently depicted sharing meals with all kinds of people. Jesus seemingly never turned down a dinner invitation, and sometimes, he even invited himself! Whether it was in the home of a tax collector or a Pharisee, Jesus knew the power of a shared meal.

This summer, from July 6 to August 17, we’re diving into a new worship series called Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, where we’ll explore some of the meals Jesus shared — and what those moments mean for us today.

Series Content – follow this link to access the series content.

While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Matthew 9:10-13 NIV

In the Gospels, meals are never just about food. They’re sacred moments of connection, teaching, and transformation. When Jesus sat down with people like Matthew or Zacchaeus — men considered to be traitors by their communities for collaborating with the Roman Empire — he wasn’t just sharing bread.

He was offering them dignity, love, and a place at God’s table. In doing so, he was also challenging the prejudices of the religious and cultural elite.

What’s even more surprising is that Jesus didn’t limit his fellowship to the outcasts. He also dined with devout Pharisees — those who often stood in direct opposition to him.

Even in those sometimes-tense settings, Jesus remained open, challenging, and full of grace. He used the table not just to comfort, but to provoke thought, break down walls, and redefine who belongs.

In this series, we’ll ask ourselves important questions: Who do we invite to our tables? Who do we avoid? How can our meals become moments of ministry — where mercy, acceptance, and the love of Christ are on full display?

Each week, we’ll look at a different story from the Gospels where Jesus shares a meal, and we’ll reflect on the spiritual, cultural, and relational impact of those moments. We’ll see how Jesus turned simple dinners into transformational encounters — and how we’re called to do the same.

This series is also an opportunity to take Jesus’ example beyond Sunday morning. Consider inviting someone to dinner, or another meal – perhaps someone you don’t know well, or someone whose life experience is different from yours.

Use the time not just to eat, but to listen, learn, and love. After all, Jesus often turned an ordinary dinner into holy ground. As we explore Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, may our hearts be open to the unexpected guests, the challenging conversations, and the radical hospitality of Christ.

Let’s be a church where, no matter what their background, story, or status, everyone knows they’re welcome at the table. These stories of Jesus entering homes and sharing time at a table highlight the mercy, fellowship, acceptance, and the breaking of social barriers that Jesus hopes his followers still demonstrate.

We look forward to sharing this powerful series with you. Come hungry — not just for food, but for grace, truth, and community.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Doug Scalise