Inclusion in Community

April 25, 2010

Background Scripture: Luke 14:1 – 24
Lesson Passage: Luke 14:15 – 24

Today’s lesson concludes this unit’s study of Jesus’ teachings on the community of faith. The background scripture provides much needed context for the parable that is included in the lesson passage. As Jesus entered the house of a Pharisee to share in a Sabbath day meal, he found himself faced with a man who had a medical condition. Jesus was also being watched by the others that were in the house. Rather than immediately heal the man, Jesus posed a question to the religious leaders that placed them in his position. Is healing on the Sabbath day lawful or not? They wisely kept silent and Jesus went on to heal the man. Jesus then asked them how they would handle the situation on the Sabbath day if it were one of their beasts of burden which had fallen into a pit. Again, they were silent. He then reversed the situation around. They were watching him but now he began to watch them. He noted how some of them sought the best seats in the house. From this observation, he taught two lessons. First, to the invited guests, he taught the proper behavior for guests to prevent embarrassment and to position them for the possibility of being honored in front of others. Next, to the host, he taught him the proper way to make a guest list. Jesus recommended that hosts should not invite those who could return the favor. This would be of no benefit to them to exchange niceties one with another. Instead, he recommended that the guest list be composed of those who could not host their own affair and subsequently return the favor. The host would receive an eternal reward for such a gesture. Things were going well until one of the other guests decided to say something that perhaps he thought might be inspiring to Jesus. The guest spoke concerning a supper in the kingdom of God. Since Jesus is an expert on his own kingdom—that is the kingdom of God that he was announcing and inviting them into he took this opportunity to explain the guest list and responses for the supper the man made reference to without necessarily understanding what he was talking about. Jesus talked about the supper, the initial invitations that were extended and apparently accepted, the final invitation once the supper was prepared and the various responses from the original invitees. He talked about the host angrily inviting others who did not have an excuse so that his supper would be successful and he would have a full house. Some of those that heard Jesus speak were undoubtedly on the original guest list but they did not recognize Jesus as the servant going forth to bid them to come because all had been made ready. Because of their various excuses, the guest list has been greatly expanded to include the “whosoever will” crowd. The current guest list truly exhibits inclusion in the community of faith. All those that Jesus said a host should include are on his list. The invitation was first extended by Jesus about two thousand years ago and the invitations continue to be extended by the Holy Ghost as he convicts, convinces, and judges the world of sin. Do you know that you are also included on that list? Have you received your invitation? Did you RSVP?

Robert C. Hudson
April 15, 2010