Luke 14:12-14 Our society excludes the marginalized, causing poverty, crime, suicide, and drug addiction. Jesus taught the solution: social inclusion. It begins with you and me. When we include the marginalized in our circle of friends, we begin to understand them and the popular lies that have perpetuated their exclusion from society.
Hospital Hospitality
Luke 14:12-14 When we invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind, we invite Jesus. Ancient Christian communities were known for hospitality (Hebrews 13:2). Hospitals were places of hospital-ity for the needy and strangers. It was an ethical and moral requirement of ancient Jewish and Christian communities. How inhospitable have we become? Our hospitals and hospitality are big business, whereby people making extravagant incomes?
The Poor, Crippled, Lame & Blind
Luke 14:12-14 Jesus gave us all a list of people that we ought NOT to invite first: our friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbors. His A-list included the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind. How many people who are on Jesus’ guest list of invitees do we even know personally?
Bigotry
Luke 14:7-11 What can we do to overcome bigotry? How humble are we? Do we fight to take the chief seats and exclude others with silly rules? Is our participation in church and local community for self-aggrandizement or to help others? Do we monopolize the leadership and exclude others from an opportunity?
Arrogance or Humility
Luke 14:7-11 Take the lesser seat. Arrogance is humbled; humility is exalted. Arrogance is living a lie. The last will be first and the first will be last. Humility is honestly facing reality; we are only dust, humus. Those who humble themselves in obedience to God will receive chief positions in eternity.
Pushing & Shoving
Luke 14:7-11 Jesus observed the pushing and shoving for position at a Sabbath banquet. He shared a parable to teach humility. Proverbs 25:6-7 says something similar. Religious leaders had also arrogantly imposed their vain human traditions. Yet humility brings honor to a Christian leader (Proverbs 15:33; 16:18-19; 29:23).
Excluded or Included
Luke 14:1-6 Who should be excluded or included in church? Should poverty or clothing or imperfections keep a person from being welcomed? Should we exclude certain conduct from leadership? If so, what? What about condoning certain lifestyles? Should the Christian community be fair in who it includes or excludes from community activities?
Burdensome Traditions
Luke 14:1-6 The Sabbath was a day of rest. Yet, human traditions often made it a burden instead of a joy. Some traditions can become burdensome rules marginalizing people. Are church services a time of physical and spiritual healing? A weekly rest day pictures eternal rest for the poor and sick.
Rescuing People
Luke 14:1-6 During a Sabbath meal at a religious leader’s home, Jesus was watched closely. He healed a man with a swelling. Did they set a trap to see if he would heal on the Sabbath? Jesus pointed out the absurdity of rescuing animals on the Sabbath but not rescuing sick people.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)