There once was a bishop who was keeping watch over his parish one evening when two robbers came upon him. They sternly ordered the bishop to turn over all the Church's treasures and valuables. The bishop led them into a large open room and showed them the poor under his care..."These are the treasures of the Church." he said. The robbers left empty handed that night...
Were still having dinner with this leader of the Pharisees when Jesus gives him a command that he should not invite people to party with him who may, in some way, be able to repay him. Rather to invite those who cannot repay...the poor, crippled, blind and lame. In the Kingdom of God it is in fact the poor, crippled, blind and lame that are at the top in the Kingdom of God, because they have been chosen to be rich in faith. There is a reward in this at the resurrection of the righteous Jesus says.
This seems all together impractical in modern Church life...I mean, from what I observe and participate in, we mostly party with people we know. Don't get me wrong, fellowship with the body is awesome, but Christ is not manifest for the healthy, He is sent into the world for the sick, the poor, crippled, blind and lame. I'm not going to over-spiritualize this either, because that has just caused us to invite folks just like us except they haven't perhaps said a sinners prayer, never the less...people we're 'comfortable' with. Sorry, that's just not what Jesus asks for.
At this someone at the party busts out in celebration! Praise God! "A blessing on those who eat food in God's Kingdom!"...Jesus shuts him down.
Everything is ready, the Kingdom of God is arriving, the ascension of the King to His throne is at hand, inauguration day is approaching. The great feast that Israel had so longed for is prepared, its all coming together...yet everyone who was invited has something better to do. Some excuse. So Jesus went to the Father in prayer and He was sent back out quickly to gather up the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame. Back to the Father in prayer and He sends Him out again to the roads and hedgerows to implore people of every background...ethnic, moral, national, religious, etc... to come fill His house, into the dinner and to taste that the Lord is good. Those who had been invited originally; however, will not taste His dinner...why? They had ruled themselves out.
Lord, help us to be watchful, never too busy to see the places that You are at work and listen for the call to come join the party. May we not forget the poor and suffering, but be eager to serve those whom You have predestined to be rich in faith and love and so store up for ourselves treasures in heaven. Amen
That passage about dining with those who cannot not repay you (monetarily or socially) has always been difficult for me to receive, no less put into practice.
ReplyDeleteKingdom living seems foolish, but wisdom is usually justified by her children.
Amen bro...Lord have mercy on us and lead us into all righteousness for His namesake.
ReplyDelete