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We sometimes overlook, or misunderstand, the revolutionary character of Jesus’ message. This week’s text from Luke 14:1, 7-14, is worth taking a closer look. Jesus’ advice was to, “not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors to your luncheons, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid.” Instead Jesus declares that his followers (that’s us!) should invite those who have no hope of ever repaying their host— those he so-called “the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind.” In other words, those so-called outcasts who can never promote their hosts’ status, and whose presence at table will most likely pull down their host’s standing in the community social structure. Wow. Hospitality occurs when the stranger and neighbor and the excluded are intentionally invited and included! All are welcome means, well, ALL are welcomed (and intentionally invited, sought out, and brought!).
Jesus is describing a whole new model of hospitality. How could our worship, concerts, dinners, bazaars, and all other community-facing events become more seed-planting, farming-style, and hospitality-driven? Let’s consider our amazing events to be interconnected… and stack them up, one on top of the other, each connected to the other, so that together they become cascading opportunities to welcome the stranger, reach out to neighbors, and in the end, embrace God’s own love for us all. Let’s not overlook God’s seeking out of us, welcoming us into the abundant life through Christ!This Fall, let’s stack-up our events in authentic and humble hospitality. God’s love… for all! (Who will you invite?!)
Every felt bent-over from your burdens, weights of life, besetting ailments, persistent distractions? Sure! We all have. This week we meet a woman who entered the synagogue and heard Jesus say, “I love you!” But that’s not all. In front of the whole assembly of neighbors, Jesus said, “I see you!” But wait, there’s more! Jesus also said, “I will make you new!” And he did. We notice people just like that woman in our sanctuary every week. Have you ever noticed:
- The elderly woman dismissed due to her age and creeping memory loss.
- The young person tolerated for their energy
- The visitor who entered the service late, sat in the back row, and left before the benediction.
- The young mother nodding off in the third pew, exhausted from working two minimum wage jobs while raising her children.
- The long-time member with stories too painful to voice.
- The vacationer who is over-burdened with life experiences
- The neighbor who struggles with addiction that takes its toll of their family
The miracle of this story is not only physical healing, it is community seeing. Jesus sees the woman, calls her, frees her of her heavy burdens and, the entire community noticed her, too. The leader of the synagogue, incensed at Jesus’ action on the Sabbath, calls to the crowd, repeatedly, “There are six days on which work ought be done; come on those days to be cured, and not on the Sabbath day.” Wow. Let’s love, see, and with God’s empowerment, make all things new for everyone! Now we see those previously disregarded and stooped-over. They (and us) will no longer be ignored. Who do you notice?!
A Bible I misplaced in Newark about six years ago was returned to me this week. I was really happy about that. Take a look at the date inside the front cover of this New Testament, the love story about Jesus… 1975. That’s right. I remember the day and the place I purchased this when I was in my college bookstore. We date special items to help us remember the connection, and I have a Bible to give you today! I’ll write your name and today’s date in it to help you remember this special day. Cold Spring Church wants to help you jump into God’s story every day! Amazing days are ahead. Let’s get started!