Unexpected Guests

Gospel: Luke 14: 15-24

In today's parable, a king invites people to a banquet, and the original invitation list is telling.  It consists of wealthy men - one buys a farm, another purchases oxen, while a third purchases a wife.  For these reasons all of them excuse themselves from the banquet.  They are too concerned with their own interests and affairs.  They have all the wealth and influence they need.  This banquet serves no self-interest of theirs in the least.  

So the king decides to invite the poor, the lame, the outcasts, marginalized, and foreigners - all of whom accept the invitation, and still there is room for more.  So the king orders a second dispatch to find even more people to attend his banquet.  These all come because they have need of the meal, they have need of the fellowship that the table provides.  They are hungry, lonely, and powerless.  This meal will relieve that burden in their lives somewhat.  

We spend all sorts of time courting the rich for their influence and money, both of which are fickle and self-interested.  It is always and everywhere destructive to the Gospel.  But if we invite the poor, sick, marginalized, outcast, and foreigner, they will come and be grateful, for they are hungry, lonely, and powerless.  They need the food and fellowship of our altar and table.  We need to fulfill the teaching and example of Jesus to have their care and protection our first priority.