https://www.myrecordbox.com/s/audio_file/12806/ebffa616761972aebeae2b009045046e
LUKE 14:1, 7-14
1On one occasion when Jesus was going to
the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the sabbath, they were
watching him closely.
7When he noticed how the guests chose the
places of honor, he told them a parable.
8"When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet,
do not sit down at the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than
you has been invited by your host; 9and the host who invited both of
you may come and say to you, 'Give this person your place', and then in
disgrace you would start to take the lowest place. 10But when you
are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes,
he may say to you, 'Friend, move up higher'; then you will be honored in the
presence of all who sit at the table with you. 11For all who exalt
themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be
exalted."
12He said also to the one who had invited
him, "When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or
your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you
in return, and you would be repaid. 13But when you give a banquet,
invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. 14And you
will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the
resurrection of the righteous."
SERMON (PASTOR)
We’ve been
hosting a lot of funerals this month in our church. Funerals for people who
grew up in this sanctuary, funerals for people who long ago were Sunday School
teachers, and funerals for people who had nothing to do with our congregation.
It strikes me that none of these faces had been in our pews in a long, long
time, or perhaps ever. This is not to say anything against them; some had
moved, others were sick, and still others knew God outside of church. It is to
say, instead, something about ourselves, something about our congregation,
something about us as hosts. When I look at this parable, I almost prefer we
didn’t know those who have died, because we are our best hosts, when we host
those we do not know.
When I
think of Peggi Timm, and all she gave to our church, and our community, it
seems the least we can do, is show up for a service, and provide breakfast for
her friends and family. In no way, does it even close to repaying our debt to
her, but in some ways it feels as if we are attempting. When I think of Kathy
Kirkpatrick, or Rob Burgess, I imagine the energy and excitement they, as
youth, must have given to this congregation, just as our youth did last week
during their Triennium presentation. It
seems small to give back to them through our services, our baked goods, and
setting out our good silver. I think of Steve Boyd, and I immediately picture
Ruth’s faithful church attendance week after week. It is as if coming to honor
Steve, we attempt to pay
our respects, to give back. Of course we should be faithful to children
of the faithful.
But part of
me prefers the others, the ones we don’t know, because when I look at this
parable, I realize we are our best hosts when we host those we do not know. I
smile and I think of Woody Woodcock saying he did not need a pastor’s visit
when I called. I think even more of the opportunity we had to do his graveside
service. We were able to give to someone, who can not repay us. Likewise, the
next funeral is for a congregation members’ friend’s father. Who, was
described, with a caveat, as one who didn’t go to church much, but had faith in
God. There is no caveat required, this is what we do, it is a gift to us to
serve, because we are our the best hosts when we can host those whom we do not
know.
I have seen
you do this so many times in the last few weeks. You have baked, and cooked for
those you never met, because someone called and asked, because we are the
church, and this is what we do. You have sat in pews in this sanctuary and
others, and listened to services which have gone on too long, and you were
patient, because even though it was the fourth, or fifth service this month, it
was that family’s hour, and we are the church, and this is what we do. You have
come in from out of town, babysat at the drop of hat, and greeted mourners so
beautifully that their children felt comfortable in our unfamiliar preschool
room, because we are the church, and this is what we do. You have showed up and
set tables, and poured punch, and slaved over dishes, because we are the
church, and this is what we do. You have come to meetings after receptions, and
wrote grants after funerals, and preached for your pastor, and taken youth on
trips, because we are still the church, and this is what we do. We do what
Jesus instructed, we host those who cannot repay us, we care for those whom we
do not know, and in so doing, we glimpse the kingdom.
In the
kingdom we will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous, we will not
only be repaid in full, but beyond our wildest measure. In the kingdom, all our
debts will be forgiven, and we live in abundant grace. In the kingdom we, the
blind, the crippled, the poor in spirit, will come and be welcomed, as the
honored guests. There is nothing we can do to earn or deserve the host’s
reception in the kingdom. Likewise, there is no sin so great that excludes us,
or anyone from the table. All we can do is have faith that God is head of the
church, and this is what Church does. God hosts us all.
