When one of the dinner guests heard Jesus’ remarks, he said to Jesus, “Happy are those who will feast in God’s kingdom.” Jesus replied, “A certain man hosted a large dinner and invited many people. When it was time for the dinner to begin, he sent his servant to tell the invited guests, ‘Come! The dinner is now ready.’ One by one, they all began to make excuses. The first one told him, ‘I bought a farm and must go and see it. Please excuse me.’ Another said, ‘I bought five teams of oxen, and I’m going to check on them. Please excuse me.’ Another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’ When he returned, the servant reported these excuses to his master. The master of the house became angry and said to his servant, ‘Go quickly to the city’s streets, the busy ones and the side streets, and bring the poor, crippled, blind, and lame.’ The servant said, ‘Master, your instructions have been followed and there is still room.’ The master said to the servant, ‘Go to the highways and back alleys and urge people to come in so that my house will be filled. I tell you, not one of those who were invited will taste my dinner.’” (Luke 14:15-24, CEB)
All are welcome. I am sure you have seen that on a church sign. Usually, this means you are welcome to come here as long as you are willing to change to adhere to the rules we have for who is in and who is not.
This rich person hosted a dinner, and those who were initially invited were those who were a part of the host’s status, well-to-do. But they loved their things more than the invitation, so when the time came, they asked to be excused to play with their new things, and the host became irritated and wanted people to fill the tables. So, the host instructed the servants to find people wherever they could to fill all the seats.
Is everyone really welcome? The host filled the seats, but that was his need for a full room, and those invited initially were only invited because sometime in the future they would invite the host to something.
We need to work on the premise of all are welcome, and know that it is not about quid pro quo, but about giving as was given to us.
In God’s kindom, all are welcome. Are we ready to step into that kindom and be a servant who helps all know they really do have a place at the table?
aSacredRebel 