St. Luke 14:7-18, 22-24
King James Version (KJV)
7 Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they chose the places of honor, saying to them,
8 “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not
sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited
by him,
9 and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give
your place to this person,’ and then you will begin with shame to take the
lowest place.
10 But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so
that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you
will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you.
11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who
humbles himself will be exalted.”
22 And the servant said, ‘Sir, what you commanded has been done,
and still there is room.’
23 And the master said to the servant, “Go out to the highways
and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled.
24 For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall
taste my banquet.”
This week’s lesson is combining two very timely concepts for the
Believers of Christ to take into our spirits. In His marvelous way, Jesus
wrangles in our attention and understanding with the simplicity of parables.
Jesus proved Himself to be an Equal Opportunity Savior, during
this passage; He has been invited to the home of one of the prominent
Pharisees. Just earlier, other Pharisees were trying to see how they would trap
Jesus and try to find fault in Him as He went about His Father’s business.
Side Note: I can remember our Annual
Thanksgiving Feast. There were so many people in our family, that Mama created
two sections; The Big Table (the wooden table with the plastic coated dining
room chairs) and the little table (a combination of 4 of the small tea party
kiddie tables and mini seats). All of the children were made to sit at the little
table. Once, as all the children filled in the chairs, I noticed there were no
more seats. So, I just went to the Adult table and plopped down. Mama said,”You
need to get back there with the other kids.” “But, Mama, there are no seats.”
Just then, she went to the recycle, pulled out a newspaper and sat me on the
floor! Talk about embarrassing.
Jesus looked around and saw how the guests were vying for the
best seats at the table. Getting the best seat was indicative of their status
and worthiness. He began to teach them that they should find the least seat at
the table and quickly take it.
Side Note: Many people today cannot
imagine taking this position. We live in a “dog eats dog” world. Competition
and status are key drivers to what some believe are the measures of a man. In
many minds, taking a lower seat is equivalent to assuming an inferior position.
We must bend our wills to mirror the attitude and will of Christ.
Jesus warns that if a person deems herself as important enough
to sit in the seat of the honored guests, she may find herself embarrassed and
asked to remove her seat to the back (Believe me, it’s NOT a good feeling).
I seems that the Pharisee’s response to Jesus’ words were a bit
sarcastic. “Anyone eating anywhere in God’s kingdom should just be glad to be
there at all!”
Jesus had to come to him in another way, and one that may not
have had him walking away smiling. He tells them another parable of a great
dinner that was being held. The host (representing God) told the servant
(representing Jesus) to go and tell them that the food was ready.
One by one, those invited delivered excuses and reasons as to why
they could not participate. Once the servant explains all of the excuses, the
host said, go far out, go low down, and go to even the most unusual places and
ask the people you find there to come, so as to not waste this food and the
occasion!
Side note: I love how God
orchestrates His Master Plan. Jesus came to Earth as a Jew. He came to and for
the Jews, but they would not receive Him. They received a special invitation (embossed
gold seal and all), and made all of those excuses why they could not accept
Him. I have a right to be thankful because I was not born in the Jewish family.
Based upon the fact that the Jews didn’t want Jesus, the door was opened for
Gentiles to enter into fellowship with Christ. I can imagine how a person from “The
Hedges” or “The Highways” would probably never get that embossed invitation.
But, when the servant (Jesus) came to us saying, “You can come over here and
eat…the table is spread!”
For Believers, as we begin to not need the “ata-boy” and “ata-girl”,
the pats on the back, the special recognition, or the social validation, we
will see the Lord lifting us higher and higher. Besides, it can be physically
and mentally exhausting trying to “Keep up with the Joneses”.
For Potential Believers: you may not have received a special
invitation, but know, Jesus is saving you a seat at the table. You just have to
come.
No comments:
Post a Comment