The Parables Of Jesus - The Three Feasts: Part 3
The mission of the church is to be light to the world. That means reaching the lost. So, imagine yourself in your church on Sunday morning. Look around you and what do you see? More importantly, WHO do you see? If you are like me (and virtually every other church that I know) you are sitting in a room full of people who look like you, act like you, talk like you, think like you and whom you feel comfortable around. Do you see what Jesus is talking about now?
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The Parables Of Jesus - The Three Feasts: Part 3
In Luke 14:12-15, Jesus relates a story about a dinner where the only invited guests are those people who are liked by the host. So, what’s wrong with that? If I were having a dinner, wouldn’t I want to invite my friends and family? Why is that such a bad thing?
Let’s start here: In the parables, it’s always good to ask ourselves, “Who am I in this story?” This parable was originally meant to be a message for the Pharisees but it’s recorded in the Bible because Jesus wants you and I to read it. We are His followers and Jesus is trying to teach His church something here. It is a warning to wake up and open our doors to the world around us.
The mission of the church is to be light to the world. That means reaching the lost. So, imagine yourself in your church on Sunday morning. Look around you and what do you see? More importantly, WHO do you see? If you are like me (and virtually every other church that I know) you are sitting in a room full of people who look like you, act like you, talk like you, think like you and whom you feel comfortable around. Do you see what Jesus is talking about now?
Jesus wants churches that welcome all people to the table. Our goal is not to isolate ourselves from the world, it is to be the light of God’s love to them. Here’s how Jesus uses this parable to describe our mission field:
Luke 14:13
“But when you give a reception, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind.”
Jesus came to reach the outcasts of society, but the Pharisees weren’t interested in that. They were comfortable with things the way they were.
Very comfortable.
Too comfortable.
God has not called us to lives of ease and comfort. He has called us to pour ourselves into serving others. That includes even the people that make us feel the most uncomfortable.
My prayer for you and your church is that you can have the thrill of feeling uncomfortable the next time you gather to worship. You will be shocked at what a wonderfully fulfilling experience that is.
Tomorrow: the third Feast Parable.
