Kingdom Building

September 15, 2019

Scripture Reading: Luke 15:1-10

So he told them this parable: ‘Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, “Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.” Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.’ –Luke 15:1-3, 8-10

Now all the tax-collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, ‘This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.’

All people at one time or another lose their way, miss the mark.  To paraphrase Matthew 7:3, we too often see the speck in our neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in our own eye. The church does not exist to provide a haven for groups of people with similar logs while ostracizing those with specks they do not have. That seems to be what was happening in the faith community addressing Jesus in our scripture above. It also seems to happen in faith communities today.

There is an old gospel song that recognizes that Jesus invited all to come to his table. This song, however, indicates for the people singing it, their being welcomed was not available to them in this life.

I’m gonna eat at the welcome table,
I’m going to eat at the welcome table, Allelu.
I’m gonna eat at the welcome table,
I’m gonna eat at the welcome table, Allelu.

I’m gonna eat and drink with my Jesus,
I’m gonna eat and drink with my Jesus, Allelu.
I’m gonna eat and drink with my Jesus,
I’m gonna eat and drink with my Jesus, Allelu.

Our call as Christ followers is to invite all to feast at the Lord’s table now as we strive to bring the reality of God’s Kingdom of love to the world in real time.

Prayer: Lord forgive us when we fail to see the log in our eyes as individuals and as collections of people. Open our hearts to love all your children and welcome them into our lives. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.