Misfits
Luke 14
There was a Sunday afternoon meal with the top religious leader in the area and Jesus was invited to it. All the other religious types were there too, and Jesus asked them a straightforward question. Everyone was so concerned about Jesus healing people on a holy day, so he asked "Is it permitted to heal on the Sabbath? Yes or no?" Everyone was quiet because they didn't want to answer. If they said 'yes,' that it is wrong, then the crowds would be angry and Jesus would not perform a miracle in front of them. If they said, 'no,' its not wrong, then they were validating the ministry of Jesus and diminishing their own status.
So, as they are silent, Jesus heals the man.
Then he tells them to stop thinking about their own status. They keep looking for the best seats at the table, taking the "important spot." Jesus points out how ridiculous that is, especially when people would potentially be kicked out of an honorable seat to make way for a more honored guest. He even tells them they should invite misfits to dinner because they will never be able to return the favor. Next, he shares a story about a man who put together a big meal, but the invited guests won't come. So he gets the misfits from the city to come, but there's still more room. Then he gets the people from the countryside to finally fill up his house and declares that anyone who was first invited will never get even a scrap of food from his table - the misfits will get it all. Jesus is pointing out how our desire for more and the best and greater honor leads to our eventual exclusion from God's plans.
He ends with this, "Simply put, if you're not willing to take what is dearest to you, whether plans or people, and kiss it good-bye, you can't be my disciple." It sounds like God genuinely favors the misfits.
There was a Sunday afternoon meal with the top religious leader in the area and Jesus was invited to it. All the other religious types were there too, and Jesus asked them a straightforward question. Everyone was so concerned about Jesus healing people on a holy day, so he asked "Is it permitted to heal on the Sabbath? Yes or no?" Everyone was quiet because they didn't want to answer. If they said 'yes,' that it is wrong, then the crowds would be angry and Jesus would not perform a miracle in front of them. If they said, 'no,' its not wrong, then they were validating the ministry of Jesus and diminishing their own status.
So, as they are silent, Jesus heals the man.
Then he tells them to stop thinking about their own status. They keep looking for the best seats at the table, taking the "important spot." Jesus points out how ridiculous that is, especially when people would potentially be kicked out of an honorable seat to make way for a more honored guest. He even tells them they should invite misfits to dinner because they will never be able to return the favor. Next, he shares a story about a man who put together a big meal, but the invited guests won't come. So he gets the misfits from the city to come, but there's still more room. Then he gets the people from the countryside to finally fill up his house and declares that anyone who was first invited will never get even a scrap of food from his table - the misfits will get it all. Jesus is pointing out how our desire for more and the best and greater honor leads to our eventual exclusion from God's plans.
He ends with this, "Simply put, if you're not willing to take what is dearest to you, whether plans or people, and kiss it good-bye, you can't be my disciple." It sounds like God genuinely favors the misfits.