7 When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: 8 “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. 9 If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this man your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. 10 But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests. 11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” 12 Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippl ed, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” (Luke 14:7-14)
While not strictly a kingdom parable, it certainly is a parable about kingdom behaviour.
The story is about a feast, but the implications of what Jesus is saying extend far wider than eating!
Jesus is teaching a lesson on motivation.
Why do I do something? Am I thinking, "What is in this for me?" For that is the way of the world, the way of human nature. For we are born selfish. Watch a child's behaviour. It is all too often about 'I'. "I will be good if you give me a play station!" We know it! We are manipulated by it! For we love our kids.
Unfortunately, as we grow older, we don't change, we just get more subtle about it! Much of our behaviour remains motivated by self interest.
In this parable Jesus 'takes a dig at' pride of position and self serving generosity. A sideswipe at two of the three motivators of men - 'girls, gold and glory'!
This story really gets to the heart of what true Christianity is. For genuine, mature, Jesus believers are required to put God and others before themselves. The Pharisees and Sadducees asked Jesus about the requirements of following in His ways.
"37 Jesus replied: ”‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-40)
We all know this, but do we live it?
It worries me when I hear evangelists say, "Come to Jesus and life will be wonderful." Many too, will (falsely) preach health and wealth to accompany conversion.
They are both right and wrong. But they are wrong viewed from the natural perception of the non believers they are preaching to. Misleading in fact. For the non believer will understand what they are saying to be more of the values they already have.
But the reality of Christian living is that happiness comes not from receiving, but giving, not from power and position, but from humility, of placing others ahead of yourself. Values that are very different, the opposite of those that apply in the world.
The form of 'evangelism' applied by Jesus in the parable involving the rich young ruler was very different!
22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” (Luke 18:22)
Do we preach the sacrifice that brings true happiness?
29 “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said to them, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God 30 will fail to receive many times as much in this age and, in the age to come, eternal life.” (Luke 18:29-30)
Or about the meek, the humble, obtaining the inheritance?
5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.(Matthew 5:5)
May we be more honest in how we present the kingdom. And lead by example, through living a genuine kingdom lifestyle.
(Continued next week)
No comments:
Post a Comment