Newsletter November 2023 Part 2
Celebration time
As Jesus sat at table with his followers, talking to them about the principles of His kingdom, one of those listening said to Him, “Blessed is he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God!” (Luke 14:15) As so often, Jesus replied by telling a story: A man gives a dinner party and sends his servant out to his friends to tell them that everything is prepared for them. However, instead of being glad to be invited, they all decline, saying they are busy with their own affairs and therefore cannot come.
Understandably, the host is angry. He has put a lot of effort into preparing and evidently what he has to offer means little to his so-called friends. But then he has an idea: he remembers the beggars he sees every day as he walks through the town. They may not have the appropriate clothes for a dinner party and they may not know anything about table manners, but surely they’ll appreciate being invited. So he sends his servant out once more to bring in anyone he can find.
We can only imagine the eyes of those hungry beggars, as they enter the dining room and see the table spread with all kinds of delicacies, many of which they may never even have had an opportunity to taste. Seeing the joy in their eyes as they celebrate together, the host would not have given those unappreciative friends a second thought. However the servant comes to him saying, “Master, these here are all I could find in town, yet there are still seats left.” So his master instructs him to go out once more, this time beyond the town’s boundaries, to the places where the outcasts of society live. He tells the servant to bring them in as well, so that none of those who were initially invited would taste of his food. So the servant goes out once more, searching everywhere until all the seats at his master’s table are taken.
Now, taking care of many guests means a lot of work for a servant. After all, someone has to serve the food, and someone has to clear up after the meal. Most servants would therefore be quite happy for a few empty seats and for a few clean plates that don’t need to be washed. And more leftovers could mean more food to take home for the family. This particular servant, however, doesn’t think that way. He knows his master’s heart. It is he who notices that there is still room, and it is he who makes his master aware of this fact, knowing full well that he is the one who will have to do the extra work.
What kind of servants are we? Are we quite comfortable with things just as they are? Or do we, like the servant in the parable, see room at our Master’s table? Do we think of those who are lost in spiritual depravation. As we see God’s rich spread, do we notice the empty seats? Do we envisage a house filled with celebrating guests, no matter who they are and where the come from? Do we come to our Master saying, “Lord, shall I go out once more to see if I can find anyone else to share in what you have provided?”
The hungry are somewhere out there, but are we willing to find them and call them in? And are we ready to receive them and look after them, spiritually and, if need be, materially? Will we go that extra mile to bring hope to the lost and joy to our heavenly Master.
Pastor Konrad