Enlarging Your Circle

January 19, 2014 Background Scripture: Luke 14:7 – 24 Lesson Passage: Luke 14: 7 –18a, 21 – 24 Jesus’ life was always about serving others and edifying them at the same time. He used many different occasions as teaching moments with his disciples and others who happened to be present. Because we do most of our teaching or discussing of the scriptures in a church setting, it is easy to forget that the majority of the information about Jesus’ life details events that occurred away from the temple and synagogues. Today’s lesson occurs at a private banquet that Jesus and his disciples were attending. Jesus commented on the behavior of the host and his guests after he had observed them. To the host, Jesus suggested that he invite guests other than his family, friends, and rich neighbors. But rather, he should invite those who are not financially able to have their own banquet and return the favor by inviting the host to their event. Jesus observed that some of the guests were choosing to sit in places designated for the elite among them. Those places were called the chief seats. Jesus warned them that their behavior could eventually lead to embarrassment if someone more important than them arrived later and the guest who arrived earlier would be asked to move so that the late arriver could take his seat. He taught them that even if they think they deserve a special place at the table, sit somewhere else and they will be honored when the host invites them to the special seat in the presence of the other guests. Jesus reminded one of the diners that it is a privilege to be invited to a private banquet. As such, one should strive to reply to the invitation and set aside time to attend. Again, Jesus is our example of this. Jesus took three to three and a half years to teach and train his disciples prior to his death, burial, and resurrection. After his resurrection, he was here for forty additional days. As monumental as the task of selecting and training disciples to become apostles was, he took time to attend private banquets and a wedding during that time. He did not shun those events. It was clear that he expected his followers to continue to be a part of everyday life but he taught them that their behavior should be different than others while in those everyday settings. Jesus did not subscribe to the notion that while one is in Rome he should do as the Romans. While followers of Jesus are in Rome, the Romans should note that Jesus’ followers behave differently. This point was borne out in the book of Acts when the religious leaders took note of Jesus’ disciples and could discern that they had been with Jesus. Jesus also spoke of the consequences of not accepting invitations. The person who rejects the invitation could lose the privilege of being on the invitation list in the future. Obviously this lesson Jesus taught has many spiritual overtones. Then he commented about those who were not on the invitation list previously. When the first group refused to reply in the affirmative to the invitation, the host avoided embarrassment by expanding the list to include the previously uninvited. This is another reminder to the host that he should expand his social circle. While those who were invited turned the invitation down, there were others who were willing to attend. Likewise, we are commissioned by Jesus to go into the world and extend the invitation to the marriage supper of the Lamb and his bride, the Church. All who are invited will not accept the invitation so we should continue to expand the circle of invitees so that the Lord’s banquet will be filled. Robert C. Hudson January 7, 2013