Day 20 on the Journey

Thursday – Luke 14: 7 – 14

Jesus continue to teach us about dinner parties. This time instead of talking about seating arrangements, he talks about the invitation list. I can imagine how the crowd was confused when Jesus said, “when you throw a dinner party we shouldn’t invite A list people, but we should invite people who would never stand a chance of being on anyone else’s invitation list.

Invite the convenience store clerk whose hourly wage barely allows for a home, food, and his children’s necessities. And invite the poor college student who is away from home, working part-time, and receives financial ad just to get through school. And the also invite street people who push their grocery carts filled with broken items.

Can you imagine the dinner party Jesus is throwing?

Who is there?

I see a blind man, a disabled vet, and a single mom and son who are dressed in the only cloths they own. I think Jesus banquet would have more real humanity, more authentic humanity than the folks who attend the black tie affairs and elegant gatherings in our society. I see laughter and joy.

The longer I am on the journey with Jesus I long to live and experience the world he talks about. At the same time I also wish to live a life of luxury.

Don’t we all at some level long for what money can buy?

I would love to pull Jesus aside and ask him if he honestly believes anyone can live the way he is teaching.

If we lived this way people will think we are crazy?

At the same time Jesus makes sense and paints a picture of a life which is appealing. Who wouldn't want to live in a world were everyone was treated with respect and dignity. Who wouldn't want to live in a world where the lost were looked for, cared for, and not over looked and forgotten.

Other questions for reflection and Comment:

Who is on you’re “A” list?

When was the last time you ate dinner with some complete strangers?

Imagine Jesus shows up at your house and says, “let’s have a party.” Whom will you invite and why?

At the party Jesus offers a blessing of the food and then asks everyone to share what they are thankful for. What does your guest say?

Would you be willing to have dinner with the homeless?
(Every Sunday we have a members from our church that go and provide a meal for the homeless in Dallas. Check out the ministry of Body and Soul. )