In Matthew chapter 12, you will read where the religious leaders had rejected Jesus and then at the end of chapter 13, you find that even the people he grew up around don't believe in him. There is a lot happening here...but in the middle of those related events in Jesus life, Jesus is using another parable to relate a very serious truth to the people listening. This parable takes on a different feel than the other parables Jesus had been teaching with...this particular parable in verses 47-50. (Available at the bottom of the page. I would encourage you to read chapters 12-13 in Matthew to get a better feel for this particular parable.)
The word net in this passage is the Latin word for "sweep net" or in other words a "dragnet"...meaning that the net is cast into the water to catch fish, and the particular purpose of this net is to drag fish up from the bottom. As this is dragged along it keeps gathering all in its way, both good and bad, small and great; and, when it is brought to the shore, those which are good for use are preserved, and those which are not, are either destroyed or thrown back into the water. The use of the word "net" here could be understood as the preaching of the Gospel of the kingdom, which keeps drawing men to become Christ Followers and into the fellowship of the Church of Christ. The word "sea" is referring to sinful depth of error, ignorance, and wickedness in which men live, and out of which they are drawn, by the truth and the Holy Spirit which presents salvation through the preaching of the Gospel. 1 Corinthians 18:21 says, "21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe." When Jesus refers to the phrase "drawing to shore", he is pointing out that there is coming and end to this whole process of opportunity when He returns to do as He said before...to separate the tares from the wheat. In verse 49, Jesus makes a very strong point that there is a difference between those who serve Him and those who have not...there will be those who wear his name but not living in a true relationship with him. There is an end to this thing called opportunity...an opportunity to come to know salvation through Jesus Christ...God will call this some day. While we are living and before God says it is over, we have been given the privilege to know this Jesus in a real and dynamic way...to have the joy only he can give and to experience the relationship of a living Savior and Master. The Pharisees did not like what Jesus was doing, who He was or what He said...educated but closed to truth...aware of what scripture said but unaware of its power...claiming the name of God but willing to deny the Name at the same time. We can't escape the net because the net is the command of God as in Acts 17:30 (NASB) 30 Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent...". Good thing is this...God is calling us to repent...because He is mad? No...because He loves wildly...deeply...maybe you are not familiar with "THE WORD ON THE STREET" bible and I ask you to not be offended by how it reads but I want to share with you what John 3:16-17 says..."Cause God's so passionate about the planet that he donates his one and only Son. Whoever invests their life in his Son doesn't die, but gets given this limitless life. D'you think God sends his Son to slam people down? No! He sends his Son to liberate people." To liberate...to liberate from our own destruction to His awesome redemption...liberate from sin to be given everlasting life...and to liberate from eternal judgment to His eternal joy! READING: Matthew 13:47-52New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) 47 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; 48 when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. 49 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous 50 and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 51 “Have you understood all this?” They answered, “Yes.” 52 And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”
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Last year, a California couple discovered a trove of gold coins in their backyard while walking their dog. Burried in eight buried cans were 1,427 rare mint-condition coins dating from 1847 to 1894. Don Kagin, an expert in rare coins who represents the finders, appraised the U.S. coins at $11 million!
The couple, who want to remain anonymous, held onto a few of the coins and donated some of them to local charities before selling it on Amazon. Today, you can find some of the coins offered for sale by Kagin's on the internet. What would you do if you had stumbled on a treasure like that? $11,000,000.00...what a treasure just to stumble on. Would you ever give up a treasure like that? Probably not entirely and yet, Jesus is sharing two powerful parables, in two short sentences, that describe giving something up to acquire something even more valuable. Jesus portrays faith like a man finding buried treasure in a field who is so excited about what he has found that he hides it again until he can sell everything he owns to buy the field and secure this treasure. He then illustrates the discovery of salvation through him like a jewelry buyer who searches and finds a single pearl that is so precious to him that he sells everything he has to buy it. Apostle Paul relates his experience in finding this great Treasure in Philippians 3:8 when he says "8 More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ...) Let's say you are an art dealer and you found a Rembrandt worth tens of millions of dollars that is up for sale by someone for a thousand dollars...you might sell whatever you need to do to buy the painting. This is what the Christian does when they find Jesus. What does it take to realize how important our salvation and relationship with Jesus is? Sacrifice? Discipline? The responsibility a person has to feel you have to give or the "Christian" obligation to give it all up? We really do not need the willpower to sell everything you own to come and have Jesus. People think they have to work at this and then attempt it...just so you know...this is impossible! What we need is the joy that only God can give to to sell everything you own to come and have Jesus. When joy is involved, the sacrifice involved in leaving oneself is manageable, and the reward is indescribable. Ephesians 3:20-21 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) 20 Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. READING: Matthew 13:44-46New American Standard Bible (NASB) 44 “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, 46 and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. It started in a very small village to people who were poor and unknown except to those who lived in the neighborhood…the dad was a common, skilled laborer and the mother was just another young girl in the town...you are right…that is where Jesus was born. A very humble and small beginning…but within 33 years Jesus‟ life was shaking the minds and beliefs of the religious and political authorities in occupied Israel and in a few short decades after Jesus was crucified and risen, the Christ Followers had transformed the Roman Empire through the faithfulness of martyrs!
Jesus understands the small beginning…His was and his disciples were getting to participate in the beginning of something great! He was telling the people all around him that they could be a part of something powerful and bigger than they could understand if they would only trust and believe in Him. Here, Jesus used a mustard seed as part of the parable. He was using something that some of the gardeners and farmers were familiar with. He was referring to the smallest seed that they would be acquainted with…the black mustard seed in Israel that will typically grow to heights of 3.7 meters, or 12 (twelve) feet—plenty large enough to hold a bird nest. The Lord shows us the truth about how effective our “little” can be, as recorded in Luke 17:6: And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, Be uprooted and be planted in the sea; and it would obey you.” Are you looking at yourself and thinking that you could be of no use to God’s Kingdom? Maybe your past has limited you because of sin or failure or just the fact you struggle with self-worth or confidence? I want you to be encouraged as you read this. Jesus knows our weaknesses and the Bible says that his strength is made known in our weaknesses…when you invite this Jesus of small beginnings into your heart and life, He can make it beautiful, strong and more than you can ask or imagine! (Ephesians 3:20) Nothing is impossible with God…you are being invited to participate in a small beginning Kingdom that has only expanded since Jesus spoke to the crowd on this day…a Kingdom without end!! Matthew 13:31-43New Living Translation (NLT) Parable of the Mustard Seed 31 Here is another illustration Jesus used: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field. 32 It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants; it grows into a tree, and birds come and make nests in its branches.” Parable of the Yeast 33 Jesus also used this illustration: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough.” 34 Jesus always used stories and illustrations like these when speaking to the crowds. In fact, he never spoke to them without using such parables. 35 This fulfilled what God had spoken through the prophet: “I will speak to you in parables. I will explain things hidden since the creation of the world.” Parable of the Wheat and Weeds Explained 36 Then, leaving the crowds outside, Jesus went into the house. His disciples said, “Please explain to us the story of the weeds in the field.” 37 Jesus replied, “The Son of Man is the farmer who plants the good seed. 38 The field is the world, and the good seed represents the people of the Kingdom. The weeds are the people who belong to the evil one. 39 The enemy who planted the weeds among the wheat is the devil. The harvest is the end of the world, and the harvesters are the angels. 40 “Just as the weeds are sorted out and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the world. 41 The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will remove from his Kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. 42 And the angels will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their Father’s Kingdom. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand! This Lent series has been titled, “Jesus Who”…who is this Jesus really? In Matthew 13 we get a glimpse of a Jesus who is a wonderful teller of truth in a relative way…you get to think about and relate to what he is saying.
In this particular parable, Jesus is relating a story about 2 sowers, one good - one bad. Unlike the parable before with 4 types of soil, this soil is one where growth takes place…good and bad. There is a weed that grows in Israel that looks very much like wheat when it is maturing. The word that is being used here is the Greek word for weed or “zizania”… which is referring to a type of weed called darnel. Before it matures completely, it is very similar in appearance to wheat…helping us to understand the command that the “zizania”should be left to grow until the harvest. The darnel looked so much like the wheat, the men were told to leave the weeds. Verse 29 says "because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them." Those that were in close enough proximity to hear Jesus speaking in Matthew 13:24-30, included some of the Pharisees that considered themselves to be so holy, they could judge everyone else…Jesus points out that there was a bad sower, “daibolos”, or the accuser, deceiver, liar, and betrayer, that put some others up to planting the “darnel” or weeds in with the “good sowers” wheat. Pharisees…pay attention! The “look alike” weeds could have destroyed the crop but the “good sower” saw this and told the caretakers of the field to leave them alone…eventually the bad seed would show itself in the end for what it really was…a “poser”…a fake. Just like true followers of Christ, you will find the seed planted by “diabolos” going to church, praying and reading the bible…but it is just a religious hobby. The opportunity Jesus provides us outside of the parable is this…we do not have to remain seed planted by “diabolos”…we don’t have to stay a“poser”…we have the ability to change by turning the bad seed of our hearts over to the God and allowing ourselves to transplanted as good seed…brining about wonderful results and living spiritually productive lives. Just a thought…where would we fit in the parable Jesus is giving us below? A “poser” or sincere follower of Christ? I invite you to let Jesus be the one planting in your heart and life. Matthew 13:24-30 New International Version (NIV) 24 Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. 26 When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. 27 “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’ 28 “‘An enemy did this,’ he replied. “The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ 29 “‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’” The last couple of years I have tried to plant grass seed in areas of my lawn…with not much success. The grass will sprout up and turn a very pretty green…then die. I have tried fertilizer, aeration, treatments and some will grow but the same areas struggle every year. I know there is an issue but I have a lot that takes time away from concern about grass that is not growing. I have a suspicion that there is something that I am missing…probably something elementary…something very basic…but I am missing it. If I were to hire an expert, they could probably use some words or instruction to express what I am missing…and I may still miss it. People listening to Jesus did.
In Matthew 13, Jesus is addressing…something very basic…and he uses “parables”, an illustration of one subject by using another subject to illustrate it. In verses 1-23, he takes three basic elements that were familiar with the people who were gathered around him…the sower, the seed and the soil. Now at first, the people around him get how the sower/seed/soil thing works as he illustrates what happens with the fate of the seed and where it landed – 1) along the path where the birds ate it, 2) some fell on rocky soil with shallow growth, 3) some landed in good soil but was suffocated by thorns that took away all its nutrients and chocked the life out of it , 4) yet some landed on good soil and produced 100/60/30 times the crop compared to what the seed originally looked like. “Whoever has ears to hear let them hear”…that is what Jesus said after that…referring to those that hear the spiritual truth that Jesus is giving them in a very basic way. What he is saying is something close to this: Do they hear the important, pointed truth with it going in one ear and then letting it slip all the way through the other ear with no opportunity for affectual change? Do they hear the truth and act like they get it but do nothing with the truth so that when things get hard and tough, the truth doesn’t fit their lifestyle anymore? Or is it that they have heard the truth, it found some soil in an open mind, grew in an hungryheart but then disappointment, discouragement, hurt, negative voices they heard from other “Christians” or fellowshipping with shallow friends and their faith was choked out? Do you find yourself identifying your relationship in any of these categories? Well, let me share some good news with you…there is a way to cultivate good soil! Hear the truth Jesus is speaking into your life, read the word of God and listen to truth…ask God to help you to have an open mind and heart to the truth you are reading or hearing, ask Him to soften your heart, renew your mind and give you a right spirit…(Psalm 51:10 – “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me”) The good soil that will be cultivated by the Holy Spirit will produce great results. When the truth of God is allowed to work in the good soil of your life, there is no limit to what God can do for you and through you! Read these following verses from Matthew 13 and let God’s word speak to you. MATTHEW 13:1-23 13 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 2 Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.” 10 The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?” 11 He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. 12 Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 13 This is why I speak to them in parables: “Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand. 14 In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: “‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. 15 For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’ 16 But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. 17 For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it. 18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 Whenanyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” As dad’s go, I’ve got a great one. For the most part I’m a pretty good daughter.
I hate telling this story. But here goes. My parents moved to Reno while I was in college and I visited during my breaks from classes. You should know that I am a third-generation pastor. At 19 I basically knew everything. After several billion decades of ministry my dad became the pastor of Reno Nazarene. It was a small church, but good people. I helpedout when I was home with music or preaching. I mean he let me think that I was helping at least. Kind of how you do with kids, right? I was about to leave Reno for San Diego and I suddenly had so many ideas about how the church could be better. I took the time to thoughtfully write them out. All of the things my dad should do to make his church better. Things like find someone to play guitar and do contemporary music instead of hymns. Start a young adult Bible Study. You know, the basics. I printed them off and gave them to my dad. Helpful, right? My dad isn’t one to talk about his feelings, but my Mother has always been a reasonably good interpreter. She explained that my letter was basically soul crushing. I realized that I had seriously disrespected my dad. Let’s break this down. Inheritances are given to sons after their father dies. People these days often leave home and seek their fortune. In Jesus day, that just wasn’t done. You stayed home and worked the family business and took care of your parents in their old age. Shame and disrespect. First the young son declares his father as good as dead and then he sells off his portion of the family land for cash to party. Land that had likely been passed down for generations. I hope you understand that Jesus could not have painted a more desperate situation than the prodigal son. Serving foreigners, not only working with pigs but wanting to eat their slop. The moment when the father sees his son from a long way out and runs to see him is priceless. What you might not realize is that this just wasn’t done. The elder authority would not run. It was undignified. And yet his joy is unstoppable. Sunday we rested a moment on the phrase “Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.” This is it right here. God’s forgiveness.Knowing how much God has forgiven us, how can we withhold forgiveness from others who ask it? Enter older brother. He lost his temper for sure. Do you hear the incredible self-centeredness? “…celebration for me and my friends… This son of yours…” Here he dresses down dad in front of everyone at the party. He shows no more respect than his younger brother. Tradition says that the older brother would have received a double portion of the inheritance. When the Father divided up the estate he would have received his double portion at the same time. The older son was likely working the family farm with dad this whole time and the fattened calf was cutting in on his profits! During his lifetime, Luke was seeing non-Jews respond to God’s salvation. Reading through the New Testament we also see that the Jewish Christians weren’t always excited about that. After all, they had carefully faithfully observed the law. Here are these pagans, joining in and just like that they are children of God? It just didn’t seem fair. Which brings us to the point. God is not fair. God is gracious and just. To conclude this story, Jesus doesn’t exactly spell out a happy ending. He leaves you wondering, so did the older son go back into the party? Did the younger son work the fields as a hired hand? Did the brothers duel to the death? Like any open-ended story, you’re meant to wonder about the outcome, and wonder which son am I? Thankfully my dad forgave me because he loves me. And you can know that whether you’re the older or the younger son, God is also faithful to forgive a repentant heart. Luke 15.11-32 11 To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: “A man had two sons. 12 The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now before you die.’ So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons. 13 “A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living. 14 About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve. 15 He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man sent him into his fields to feed the pigs. 16 The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything. 17 “When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! 18 I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, 19 and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”’ 20 “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. 21 His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’ 22 “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. 23 And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, 24 for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began. 25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the fields working. When he returned home, he heard music and dancing in the house, 26 and he asked one of the servants what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother is back,’ he was told, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf. We are celebrating because of his safe return.’ 28 “The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in. His father came out and begged him, 29 but he replied, ‘All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends. 30 Yet when this son of yours comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes, you celebrate by killing the fattened calf!’ 31 “His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours. 32 We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’” Last year I attended my first quinceañera. Danielle wore the most beautiful ball gown with her dark brown curls cascading down her back. She looked wonderful and her escort was pretty cute too. Best of all, the whole room was celebrating her. I was a little bitter that my parents never threw me a quinceañera. Sure, we aren’t exactly Mexican, but I was born in California and that’s like Mexico 2.0, right? And I wasn’t the only one. I overheard three other white girls ask their parents, “Can I have one too?” It’s not just young girls who like to feel special.
What you’re witnessing in today’s scripture passage is a new definition of God’s salvation and the Pharisees really didn’t like it. Remember the story of the great banquet. Everyone was invited, they only need to respond. But wait, weren’t we supposed to be God’s chosen favorite people? This was supposed to be an exclusive club, and how they just let anyone in. Remember the words of the Lord’s prayer. “…Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.” As it is in Heaven!!!!! Heaven is rejoicing!!!!! Lots of speculation out there about what constitutes a “notorious sinner.” The Pharisees dedicated much time studying and perfecting their practice of the law. It’s possible that these sinners were simply people who had to work for a living and were not afforded the luxury of studying the law. Jesus’ choice in company was less than reputable. Truth is, I dig this about Jesus. Can I tell you, some of my best friends are convicted felons. I know we say that we don’t judge, but what would you think if you saw your pastor throwing a party for a notorious drug dealer? How about a sex worker? When was the last time you shared a cup of coffee with an adult film star? Check yourself, lest you identify too quickly with the wrong character in this story. Be like Jesus. Have dinner with a notorious sinner. Scratch that. Have dinner with a person. Not to preach at them, but to treat them as a person loved by God. Here’s the simple truth of Jesus’ message: God loves people. The message of God’s salvation was always for the whole world and Jesus is simply reminding Israel of their purpose to be a blessing to all nations. The new-old standard is being set. No longer do you have to be born a Jew and an authority in the law. Instead, anyone who is willing to repent and follow Jesus is not only saved, but all of heaven rejoices! That’s really reallygood news for all of us. Do you know that you are precious and treasured by God? It’s true. God’s grace goes before us, seeking us out, calling us to repentance. Will you respond? That’s cause for celebration. Luke 15.1-10 Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. 2 This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such sinful people—even eating with them! 3 So Jesus told them this story: 4 “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. 6 When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away! 8 “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins[a] and loses one. Won’t she light a lamp and sweep the entire house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it, she will call in her friends and neighbors and say, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost coin.’ 10 In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.” Our last election was quite a doozy. Now suppose one of the candidates stood up, maybe during the primaries, and gave this speech, “If you vote for me I promise you’ll have nothing left. No home, no car, no family.” What if instead of “America First” he or she proclaimed “America Last.” I think the political pundits would be so confused they wouldn’t even know what to say.
Now Israel was looking for a political revolutionary. They wanted someone who would lead them into battle to regain their identity as a sovereign people. So as revolutionary leaders go, Jesus’ message here doesn’t play so well. Think instead about this. What if Jesus wasn’t campaigning for followers. What if he instead of a military operation, he was about to lead a rescue operation. As if to say, “I know some of you have loved ones, you’d better kiss them good bye.” You might lose your life, he tells them, are you sure you want to follow me down this path? If we read the history of 1st century Jews and Christians, this danger is a real thing. I’ve maybe used the phrase “take up your cross and follow Jesus” before. As I’m reading, it really struck me that wasn’t a metaphor. No, it was a gruesome and humiliating death and a real thing that happened to people who were sideways of the government in that day. When Jesus goes on to say count the cost before you start a major building project, I am like well yeah, in my business I know guys that do that all the time. But to his hearers they would immediately think of the most important building project of their time, the Temple. Herod the Great had started the process of rebuilding and the work had been continued by his sons.* But why? God’s presence had left the temple long ago. Next, he brings up a king who would be well advised to make sure he has the troops sufficient to win the war before starting one. Remember these were people who wanted to go up against the Roman government. Had they any idea the forces they would be up against it would have been smart to find a way to make peace for sure. The last thing in this passage has to do with salt. And by salt, I mean the Jews, AKA the people of God. The people of God were not living their purpose. Just as in yesterday’s reading they would be left out of the great feast in the kingdom because they didn’t respond, Jesus is saying if you fail at your purpose of being the people of God, you aren’t actually the people of God. Wow Jesus, tell us how you really feel. I want to say, “Thank you God, that I don’t have to endure persecution,” but I’m not sure that’s sufficient. Is it enough to recognized that we are blessed and don’t actually have to give up everything to follow Christ? For Lent I gave up coffee and chocolate. When I hear Jesus’ words about hating my mother and my brother and being prepared die beside our savior on the cross, it seems a very small sacrifice indeed. True story, when I was reading through Luke in preparation for these devotionals I noticed he hits this button several times. I thought, goodness Luke, enough with the take up your cross stuff we get how hard to follow Jesus. But I don’t think I actually did. You see, it’s 2017 and here in Kansas City it’s relatively easy to follow Jesus. In fact, we church people hardly even ask you to give up anything to be one of us. It’s uncool to ask for money to support the ministry. We don’t want to talk about sin because it may sound judgmental. And many churches view themselves more as a service organization to the community with a program for everyone, than a dynamic body of believers. I’m not saying this to lay a bunch of guilt on anyone, or even to be critical. We need perspective. Because we have one job, and we need to do it well. This is it. Stop living for yourself. Live for God. *Wright, NT. Luke for Everyone. p181. Luke 14.25-35 25 A large crowd was following Jesus. He turned around and said to them, 26 “If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. 27 And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple. 28 “But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? 29 Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you. 30 They would say, ‘There’s the person who started that building and couldn’t afford to finish it!’ 31 “Or what king would go to war against another king without first sitting down with his counselors to discuss whether his army of 10,000 could defeat the 20,000 soldiers marching against him? 32 And if he can’t, he will send a delegation to discuss terms of peace while the enemy is still far away. 33 So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own. 34 “Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? 35 Flavorless salt is good neither for the soil nor for the manure pile. It is thrown away. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!” When you hear God’s voice, don’t hesitate to respond.
You’ll remember the scene from yesterday’s reading. Jesus is having lunch on the Sabbath with a hostile crowd of Pharisees. Our passage today is about the banquet at the Kingdom of God and Jesus tells this little story. There’s this guy throwing a party. Of course, he invites all his friends. But they are like, “Oh sorry, can’t make it. I think I’m uhh… washing my hair.” Super lame excuses why they can’t come to his huge bash. Undaunted, I mean, he’s cooked all this food and the band is already warming up, he tells his servant go out and pick up the street people, undocumented day laborers, kids in the hospital, anyone you can find. And even then, there was still room for more. But those haters who made up excuses won’t be enjoying any of it. The Pharisees as much as anyone had been waiting for the coming kingdom. When “…a man sitting at the table with Jesus exclaimed, “What a blessing it will be to attend a banquet in the Kingdom of God!” that would have been like their rallying cry. Did someone just yell “Go Chiefs”? But instead of echoing “YEAH!” Jesus tells this story. It’s no secret who was originally on the invite list. The Pharisees he was having lunch with were the same ones trying to cut to the front of the line for the banquet in the Kingdom of God. And yet, here’s Jesus going all around Galilee summoning people for this great supper, but they are all suddenly too busy to make it. If they didn’t like him before, they pretty much hate him now. First, everyone is invited. The author, Luke, would have seen thousands of non-Jews respond to Jesus within his lifetime. Second, don’t miss out. There is a place for you in God’s kingdom if you’re willing to respond. Don’t be too busy to be part of what God is doing right now. Be ready and respond. Luke 14.15-24 [NLT] 15 Hearing this, a man sitting at the table with Jesus exclaimed, “What a blessing it will be to attend a banquet in the Kingdom of God!” 16 Jesus replied with this story: “A man prepared a great feast and sent out many invitations. 17 When the banquet was ready, he sent his servant to tell the guests, ‘Come, the banquet is ready.’ 18 But they all began making excuses. One said, ‘I have just bought a field and must inspect it. Please excuse me.’ 19 Another said, ‘I have just bought five pairs of oxen, and I want to try them out. Please excuse me.’ 20 Another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’ 21 “The servant returned and told his master what they had said. His master was furious and said, ‘Go quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and invite the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.’ 22 After the servant had done this, he reported, ‘There is still room for more.’ 23 So his master said, ‘Go out into the country lanes and behind the hedges and urge anyone you find to come, so that the house will be full. 24 For none of those I first invited will get even the smallest taste of my banquet.’” I am an invite-aholic. It’s a disease I caught from my mother who also wanted to make sure that everyone felt included. I have often included more people on my dinner guest list than my little house can safely hold. Who gets on the list? Back when I was single I liked to invite hot guys first, and then other people to serve as buffers. Obviously, I had to invite Amy, she was my wing-woman. I’m mostly kidding. But like you, I usually started with the people I liked the best.
Check out what Jesus says: “When you put on a luncheon or a banquet,” he said, “don’t invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbors.” I can’t decide if this scene reads more like “Mean Girls” or the Discovery Channel where the Coyotes circle the little bunny rabbit. At first it seems like a nice lunch among friends. Quickly you realize that these Pharisees are no fan of Jesus and they are hoping to catch him in a trap! First there is a man with a disease. Jesus asks his crowd, “Is it permitted in the law to heal people on the Sabbath day, or not?” His question has just turned the tables, because really, they can’t answer. These people who interpret the Sabbath law for their life’s work can’t answer. They can’t say no, because hello, the crowds would turn on them. They can’t answer yes, because they are trying to trap Jesus in blaspheme and haul him off to jail. Next Jesus takes aim at those who liked to elbow their way to the front of the line. The guys who were determined to sit at the cool table, no matter what it takes. His listeners probably snickered a little as Jesus describes being asked to scoot down a little further for someone more important. Oh yeah, they knew that guy. The heart of this passage is twofold. Your interpretation of the rules should always be guided by compassion. Jesus said don’t invite your friends over first, they are going to return the favor. Instead, give to those in need expecting to receive nothing in return. This isn’t to say give when you’re asked or when the opportunity presents itself. Rather, get up off your behind and find someone who needs compassion and do it. Go Jesus! Second, the Jewish idea of the kingdom was elite and exclusive. Jesus is about to turn that upside down. That’s what you have to look forward to tomorrow. Luke 14.1-14 [NLT] One Sabbath day Jesus went to eat dinner in the home of a leader of the Pharisees, and the people were watching him closely. 2 There was a man there whose arms and legs were swollen. 3 Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in religious law, “Is it permitted in the law to heal people on the Sabbath day, or not?” 4 When they refused to answer, Jesus touched the sick man and healed him and sent him away. 5 Then he turned to them and said, “Which of you doesn’t work on the Sabbath? If your son[b] or your cow falls into a pit, don’t you rush to get him out?” 6 Again they could not answer. 7 When Jesus noticed that all who had come to the dinner were trying to sit in the seats of honor near the head of the table, he gave them this advice: 8 “When you are invited to a wedding feast, don’t sit in the seat of honor. What if someone who is more distinguished than you has also been invited? 9 The host will come and say, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then you will be embarrassed, and you will have to take whatever seat is left at the foot of the table! 10 “Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you, he will come and say, ‘Friend, we have a better place for you!’ Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests. 11 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” 12 Then he turned to his host. “When you put on a luncheon or a banquet,” he said, “don’t invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbors. For they will invite you back, and that will be your only reward. 13 Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. 14 Then at the resurrection of the righteous, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you.” |
AuthorThe Pastors of Cornerstone Wesleyan Church Archives
July 2017
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