The gospels are full of situations involving meals. Franciscan scholar and author Robert J. Karris says in his book, “Eating Your Way through Luke’s Gospel” that in this gospel, Jesus was always either going to eat, at a meal or leaving a meal. In this week’s study, Jesus is called names and shamed about eating with all the “sinners.” Pastor Adam called this meal the “winner, winner, sinner dinner!”
Food unites. At the table deals are made, relationships are mended and deep conversations often occur. Lives and situations can be changed - from the inside out. A meal is a place where there can be spiritual, relational and emotional food. It is not limited to only sustenance for maintenance of the physical body.
Today we look at the first meal recorded in the gospel of Luke. We see some meaningful and important and life changing things occur to Matthew (Levi). He recognizes his value, meaning and purpose. His life ambitions are changed and re-focused and turned upside down. Does that sound a little uncomfortable to you? Change is hard and seems threatening sometimes doesn’t it? We get comfortable, even in our own messiness and “sickness" whether we realize it or not.
Jesus sees us as GOD sees us. He sees us as we were created to be. Pastor Adam pointed out three things from this “At the Table” story from the gospel of Luke. First, Jesus values people that others despise. Second, Jesus befriends people that others reject. Finally, Jesus empowers people that others judge.
INVITATION: Jesus values you. He wants to be your friend and to empower you. This could involve change. How does that make you feel? This week we will see how Jesus is willing to enter into even our messiness and sit at a table with us. To touch us and share a meal and break bread with us. We cannot try hard enough. We cannot be “good” enough. All we need to do is come just as we are and follow Jesus. Are you willing?
MONDAY: Luke 7:33-34: Two men, two spiritual paths, two traditions in creative tension: the ascetic path of John the Baptist, who lived mainly in the desert, and the path of the Son of Man, who spent much of his time in cities crowded with people. These paths often intersect for Christians when God calls us to retreat in order to prepare for service. This week’s call is “Follow me.” Are you being called by God to more solitude, prayer and reflection? Or, are you being called to mix more with people in the world as “a friend of sinners”? Jesus was shamed and called names because of the people he ministered to and spent time with. He was heeding the call on his life given to him by God—not the call of the culture in which he lived (especially the call placed on him by the religious elite of his time). Whose voice do you listen to regarding the way you live your life and the friends you spend time with? Is God’s voice the primary voice or is it the voice of today’s culture? What is Jesus calling you to as you follow him?
TUESDAY: Luke 5:27-28: Tax collectors in this day and age were hated. They were banned from the temple and were only allowed to associate with other “sinners” such as other tax collectors and prostitutes. Even among the tax collectors, there was a hierarchy. Pastor Adam explained that Matthew was at the lowest of the lowest level. He was despised even more than criminals. Jesus SAW Matthew, and the original language makes it clear this was a very intent gaze. The term “follow me” here also has more meaning than meets the eye. This was a phrase used when a Rabbi invited his disciples to follow him. The person had to earn the right to be called to “follow” a Rabbi. So Jesus gazed intently at Matthew which indicated Matthew had earned the right to be with and follow Jesus. Matthew left it all. Right then and there. He want intentional about heeding the call of Jesus.
What if Jesus called you to “follow me?” He does, you know. Today spend time thinking through what the cost might be that might hinder you from being able to say unequivocally to Jesus, “YES, I will follow you.” What might be difficult for you to part with? Why?
WEDNESDAY: Luke 5:29-30: Pastor Adam called the Pharisees who show up at this dinner the “fun police.” They showed up to break up the gathering. In this day and time it was thought you could “catch sin” from other sinners. They believed the messiah would come once the world was cleaned up and people were “good enough.” Thus, they looked at these sinners as messing everything up for the righteous, law abiding, legalistic folks. They had it all backwards. What can be “caught” is the righteousness of God. We can “catch” that from accepting what Jesus did on the cross. Because of Jesus, we are covered with the righteousness and holiness of Jesus Christ. We cannot be “good” enough on our own. That is the very reason Jesus had to die. To think there is something we can do on our own virtually negates the pain and punishment - - and love - - that was demonstrated willingly on the cross at Calvary. What about you? It is said the longest journey is from the head to the heart. Perhaps in your head you “know” we can never be good enough. But what about the way you live? Do you live out that head knowledge or do you still try to “earn” God’s favor? How might you pray about that today?
THURSDAY: Luke 5:31-32: Levi (Matthew) was a Jewish employee of Rome, who was hired to gather crippling taxes from his downtrodden countrymen, and who probably cheated many people - as was the habit of those money-grubbing tax-gatherers in the days of Christ. Matthew was a man who fell within many of the categories that Jesus came to save. He came to save sinners that were afflicted, those who were heart-broken and ones who were shattered in spirit and soul. He came to help the down-trodden, heal those that were captives of the greedy sin nature and free those imprisoned by Satan, death and hell.
Jesus ate and drank with prostitutes, tax-gatherers and sinners because He had not come to call those that were righteous in their own eyes, but sinners, who recognized their need of salvation. Jesus came to call sinners to repentance - and Matthew was one such sinful person. Do you acknowledge that YOU are in need of a “doctor” in your life because of the disease of sin? Many people find it helpful to have a prayer practice in place to acknowledge sin, and repent, a few times per day. They keep short accounts with Jesus regarding their lives. Have you ever considered such a practice? It is helpful to remember to ask GOD to convict you of sins and then repent of what He reveals to you. Sometimes left to our own devices we can come up with a laundry list of “false guilt” and end up in a shame filled hole. That does no one any good. Ask God to convict you and show you what to confess at any given prayer time. How is that different for you in your prayer life? Are you willing to ask for God’s conviction of sin?
FRIDAY: Luke 5:33-39: Seeing yourself as Jesus sees you is empowering and freeing. Jesus comes to heal. To set free. He does NOT come to judge. Romans 8:1 says, “therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” You are bought and paid for. You are covered by the righteousness of Christ……..NOT from anything you have - or have not - done or accomplished. How can you begin to live life and act as the “beloved child of God” that you are? You are NOT condemned. Jesus calls you his “friend.” (John 15:15) and invites you to follow him. What might that look like in your life in the next few days or weeks to live into your TRUE identity and follow Jesus?
SATURDAY: Matthew 9:13: Jesus has come for sinners. He desires to break bread with you and dine with you, at your table. He does not come to judge but to heal. Could your pride be keeping you from the empowering freedom of Jesus? Are you willing to admit and know that you are “sick” and a sinner? Are you stuck in a cycle of trying to “behave” and “believe” appropriately in your own strength and power? How can Jesus help you today? How might you “pray without ceasing” and keep Jesus with you as you go about your day today?