Jesus’ Party-Throwing God

Ron Simkins – May 13, 2025 2 Comments

Do we think of God as the One who throws the best parties? Or Jesus as the host with the most, or the featured first on the guest list? Ron reminds us that worship and feasting are expressions of our giving. May we be freed to enter into this joy with our whole hearts, minds, and bodies. -Pastor Renée

There is a lot of darkness, and dark talk, these days—much of it for very good reasons. So, it seems like an excellent time to think about Jesus’ God—the God who loves to throw parties.

From the time he was 12 years old, Jesus went with his family and friends from Nazareth to party and worship in Jerusalem (Luke 2:41-52). For many centuries, Jesus’ Jewish people had been taught to relate to God in worship while enjoying big cookout parties as part of their annual tithes.

“Set apart a tithe of all the yield of your seed that is brought in yearly from the field. In the presence of the LORD your God, in the place that he will choose as a dwelling for his name, you shall eat the tithe of your grain, your wine, and your oil, as well as the firstlings of your herd and flock, so that you may learn to fear the LORD your God always. But if, when the LORD your God has blessed you, the distance is so great that you are unable to transport it, because the place where the LORD your God will choose to set his name is too far away from you, then you may turn it into money. With the money secure in hand, go to the place that the LORD your God will choose; spend the money for whatever you wish—oxen, sheep, wine, strong drink, or whatever you desire. And you shall eat there in the presence of the LORD your God, you and your household rejoicing together.” (Deuteronomy 14:22-26; see also 16:13-17).

Perhaps one of the biggest parties ever thrown is described as a worship time in 2 Chronicles 30. The people of Israel renewed the Passover week, then extended it an extra week. In addition to the food each family brought with them, “Hezekiah of Judah gave the assembly a thousand bulls and seven thousand sheep for offerings, and the officials gave the assembly a thousand bulls and ten thousand sheep.” BIG COOKOUT!!!

Jesus described his Abba as the God who loves to throw parties. The parable of the Waiting Father (often misnamed the parable of the Prodigal Son) describes the father-God-figure as one ready to throw a big party for his returning son. In fact, all three parables in Luke 15, describe the God-figure as a rejoicing party thrower (shepherd, peasant woman, and the father of two “lost” sons).

In many ways Jesus fulfilled the adage “Like father, like son.” Perhaps it is not too surprising then that the more strait-laced religious church-goers of Jesus’ day accused Jesus of eating and drinking too much at far too many parties (Luke 7:34). Like most unfair accusations, this accusation was not without some basis in reality. Think about how many times in the four Gospels Jesus, along with many other guests, is described as invited to someone’s home to enjoy a big meal. 

And, when Jesus wanted to describe the Kingdom of God, one of his favorite ways of describing it was as God’s invitation to a great banquet (Matthew 22:1-13; 25:1-13; Luke 12:35-40). Again, perhaps it is not too surprising that what we call “Communion/Eucharist/Lord’s Supper” was actually an extension of the Passover Banquet that Jesus said he “eagerly” wanted to share with his close friends (Luke 22:14-20).

On a few occasions, Jesus even played the host and spread the banquet for others: Matthew 14:13-21—feeding more than 5000; Matthew 15:32-38—feeding more than 4000; and John 2:1-11—saving a wedding party from disaster with some very good wine.

I am a person who is by nature quite cynical, and I can easily talk about all that is wrong around us in quite dark tones. So, I welcome the reminder that Jesus’ God not only addresses the darkness, but is also a God of joy, celebration, and pure delight! John the Seer, who wrote the letter to the seven churches (Revelation), was imprisoned in exile. He certainly knew dark times living under the Empire. But John also understood Jesus’ God is a party throwing God—“And the angel said to me, ‘Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.’ And he said to me, ‘These are true words of God’” (Revelation 19:9). 

RSVP Prayer: “Father, we accept your gracious invitation to your Son’s wedding celebration. Please save us a seat at the banquet table.” –Ron Simkins, NCF Pastor Emeritus