Where is Your Seat at the Table?

Over the years, the show Law & Order has been something that I’ve enjoyed. In my opinion, the original show is still the best. Whenever you watch a program like this, or whenever you hear about law and politics, you sometimes hear the phrase quid pro quo. It basically means, “I will do something for you that equals the value of what you do for me.” It’s a way of trying to gain an advantage. In Luke 14:7-14, Jesus tells a parable that seeks to undermine the quid pro quo mindset. In verses 12-14 He says, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” Jesus has a dramatically different picture in mind when He talks about hospitality. When we think of throwing a party, we tend to include people we like and who are like us. But Jesus presses us to reach out toward the fringes of community life. This outreaching love and care is what distinguished the early church from its surrounding environment. Two attitudes that are vital to Christian character are generosity and humility. Nurturing helps guard against a destructive and blinding mindset that ignores the needs and circumstances of others around us. Something as ordinary as sharing a meal is an expression of respect and equality. It includes sharing not just our resources, but ourselves; and it speaks loudly to our values and commitments. As we continue in our sermon series, “Parable,” may each of us look to follow the example of Jesus, who is abundantly generous. May we be outrageously generous to people who least expect it and who are least able to reciprocate. May we seek to help others, even if we gain nothing from it.