Won't You Be My Neighbor?

‘Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.’ Revelation 19:6-8

Did you know there is a wedding and a feast in your future? The scriptures describe the church as a bride betrothed to Christ. We will eat and drink and celebrate the love and the life that Jesus has given to us. The question is: are you ready for a wedding?

Imagine this great wedding day. What would you be doing to prepare? Even the guys have fresh haircuts and clean shaven faces. The bride begins the elaborate hair preparation. There is either a clean well pressed tux in the corner or that carefully chosen dress of your dreams. Anticipation and nervous excitement pound in your chest. Picture it in your mind. What would it be like for you to intentionally prepare for this wedding and feast?

It takes lots of planning and preparation to celebrate a wedding, doesn’t it? Revelation 19 tells us that the fine linen that the church (bride) wears are the Righteous deeds of the saints. Remember the proposal and engagement took place before the wedding preparation. Our good deeds are like wedding preparation. They don’t earn or force a betrothal; they simply prepare us to celebrate the wedding well.

Take a moment to shift the way you think about your good deeds. Your attempts to eliminate anger from your life, that is a wedding preparation. Your efforts to care for your family selflessly, that is the fine clothing you wear on that great feast day. You don’t earn an “I do” by dressing well on a wedding day but love drives you to prepare well for that day.

By Aaron Bjorklund 

On this mountain the Lord Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine— the best of meats and the finest of wines. 7 On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; 8 he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove his people’s disgrace from all the earth. The Lord has spoken.  Isaiah 25:6-8

Food is central to who we are as human beings. We quite literally can’t live without it. There are very few things that I enjoy more than a good meal with great friends. However, because of the fractured nature of our universe, we have a distorted relationship with food. Food is great, but we struggle with overeating and eating things that aren’t good for us. There are some around the world who have more than enough food and there are others who struggle to get their daily bread. Americans spend 50 million dollars annually on diets and roughly 30 million Americans struggle with eating disorders. To say that we have a complicated relationship with food is an understatement.

However, food isn’t just a part of being human, it’s a central part of the story God is telling. Think about it: things go wrong in the garden around food when Adam and Eve eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 3). Then, the symbol of Jesus making the world right is the Eucharist meal (Luke 22). Finally, the culmination of God’s restoration of his world is the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19). Food is central to the metanarrative of scripture; it weaves its way all throughout the scriptures.

But, as the scriptures show us, the significance of food transcends beyond the acts of eating. One of the most common metaphors used to describe the kingdom of God is that of a feast. Both the Old Testament and the New Testament talk of God’s coming reign as though it’s a feast. In one of Jesus’ most prolific parables (The Prodigal Son in Luke 15), he ends with the picture of his Father’s kingdom being a party. The people were dressed to the nines, the fattened calf has been killed, music was blaring, and there was a whole village getting after it on the dance floor. This is what the kingdom of God is like! Not only is God hospitable, he is over-the-top lavish in his welcome and provision towards his people.

Food has been a part of God’s story from the very beginning and it will be a part of it even after the resurrection. We will eat with our resurrected bodies – Jesus did (Luke 24:42-43)! Maybe we should read the Psalmist’s invitation to “taste and see that the Lord is good” more literally. Food is a central part of hospitality because it’s a major way we see God’s goodness and enjoy relationships with each other.

As you think about this Won’t You Be My Neighbor? series, what’s one thing that has stood out to you? How has your approach to being neighborly changed and how have you felt challenged by God?

By Ryan Paulson 

But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said to him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?”  And he said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.”  Then he commanded them all to sit down in groups on the green grass.  So, they sat down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties.  And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he divided the two fish among them all.  And they all ate and were satisfied.  And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish.  And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men. Mark 6:37-44

I like lavish. Full course dinners, elaborate tablescapes, opulent interior design, and the look of abundance. Have you ever taken one of those online tests to determine your style for car, house or clothes? Mine always come out on the extravagant side. It’s a choice for us, but for God, his only style is lavish. He is a good God and he gives good things. .

The feeding of the 5,000 lavishly demonstrates God’s overflowing goodness. The food was ordinary bread and fish, but in God’s hands it became extraordinary. God provided, the disciples distributed, and there was more than enough for all. Every person ate until they were satisfied and there were still twelve baskets of leftovers. There was no limit on what they could eat.  In addition to the miracle, the disciples themselves were invited to participate in God’s hospitality and grace extended to the crowd. This audience would have easily recalled the stories passed down from generations of manna in the wilderness. In both the feeding of the 5,000 and bread from heaven, God lavishly provided for all. Sometimes bread doesn’t come from the sky, it comes through our hands.

Read Psalm 23. It could be considered a picture of God as a lavish provider. David, the author, changes his thoughts towards the future, from shepherd and his sheep to host and his guests.  Like a shepherd he leads, we are restored, we are comforted, our cup runs over and goodness and mercy follow us all the days of our lives. Our Lavish Provider prepares a table before each of us in the presence of our enemies. He is always with us, protecting and defending us. They can only watch as He anoints our heads with oil and our cups overflow. God provides life abundant for us now and for eternity. Our future is to dwell in the house of the Lord forever. How do you see God provide in this Psalm? And for you personally?

By Donna Burns  

King Herod heard of it, for Jesus’ name had become known. Some said, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead. That is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.” But others said, “He is Elijah.” And others said, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.” For it was Herod who had sent and seized John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because he had married her. For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” And Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly.

But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his nobles and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. For when Herodias’s daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests. And the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it to you.” And he vowed to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.” And she went out and said to her mother, “For what should I ask?” And she said, “The head of John the Baptist.” And she came in immediately with haste to the king and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” And the king was exceedingly sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. And immediately the king sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison and brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard of it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves. Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things. And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late. Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said to him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?” And he said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.” Then he commanded them all to sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties. And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he divided the two fish among them all. and they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men. Mark 6:14-44

Setting up a celebration can be loads of fun. There are people who really enjoy setting them up, figuring out who to invite, what will be served, and when. My wife is that way – she loves this stuff. Me, not so much, but I’m not good at, and Christel is. It’s like a new battery in the Energizer bunny. I get the impression that the party Herod threw for his political and military leaders was quite a hit, just like a Christel party. Great food and a really nice venue. An invitation would’ve been a huge deal.

Meanwhile, Jesus had his disciples to care for. His disciples had just returned from being sent; they were empty-handed and exhausted. Jesus knew they needed rest, and started leading them away from the crowds to find it. But, like many times before, people found out and met Jesus and the disciples as they stepped off the boat. Imagine being tired and hungry and coming face to face with a huge crowd, looking like lost sheep. Jesus welcomed and taught them. Towards the end of the day, the disciples tell Jesus to send them away to get food. Maybe they were hopeful for at least a nice meal and a good night’s sleep in peace and quiet. Then they hear the three unexpected words: “You feed them.”

Unlike Herod’s planners, they really had no food. They had a couple fish and loaves, but that was it. How can we feed these thousands with this little bit, they asked?  Hearing this, Jesus had the people sit, and started breaking the bread and fish. Jesus fed them all. His feeding them brought them life. While Herod’s party ended in death, Jesus’ party ended in life. While Herod’s gathering required an invitation, everyone gathered with Jesus was invited and given enough to fill them. The most important thing was that, while Herod was served, Jesus did the serving. The king was served, but the Creator served.

As you listen to ‘Carried to the Table,’ reflect on the words and think about who you invite to your celebrations. How protective are you of the guest list, knowing some people can really change the dynamic of your time together, just like this huge crowd did for Jesus? Are you okay with inviting the outcast, the needy, the broken, the sinner?

By Rich Obrecht 

Everybody has a Rule of Life; but not everybody has an intentional Rule of Life. We all have things we do every day, every week, every season, and every year. However, so many of those things are automated to the point that we no longer think about what we’re doing. The Early Church was very intentional about the way that they built their communal Rule of Life. That rhythm is recounted for us in Acts 2:42-47. As you read through their Rule of Life, ask Jesus which portions of it are missing from your rhythms.

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

There are a number of things listed in this passage that stand out to me, but one that I want to focus on.

The Early Church had a rhythm of meeting both in large groups for teaching – they met in the temple courts daily (v. 46) and they also met in small groups: in homes (v.46). I love that the first church saw value in learning the way of Jesus through teaching in large groups; but they also knew that Christianity was to be lived out in very personal ways. It appears that part of the rhythm of the early church was that they both worshiped together and they ate together. Eating was central to the communal lives of Jesus followers. Somehow, in the midst of everything they had going on, they made time to eat together – it was that important to them.

Does your Rule of Life reflect the value of a shared meal? Do you make that a priority? One of the things I’ve noticed is that if I don’t do that by design, I rarely do it by default.

Think back on this week of meals. What conversations and blessings came out of shared time together? Think about the week ahead. Decide on one night to have someone over for a meal or meet them at a restaurant. There is something sacred about spending time, looking each other in the eye, and sharing a meal together. You might even decide that you want to dedicate one night per week to getting together with others for a shared meal. The Early Church knew the value; may we embrace it in our day too.

By Ryan Paulson 

36 One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table. 37 And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, 38 and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. 39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.” 40 And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.”

41 “A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.”44 Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” 48 And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” 50 And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” 

Luke 7:36-50

 

Do you ever wonder why many couples feed cake to one another at their wedding ceremony? The gesture was started as just one of many moments on their wedding day where the couple commits to provide for each other out of love and affection. Yet, the meaning behind this tradition easily gets overlooked because of our familiarity and playfulness with this ritual. Moments with Jesus around the dining table become so familiar to us, we can miss their significance as well. Just think about how often we find Jesus eating and drinking with tax collectors, sinners, disciples, and spreading out bread and fish to feed the masses. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus never shies away from meeting people in their need for food.

In addition, something marvelous happens in the sharing of bread. In today’s passage, we have the Creator of the Universe, the one who speaks “light” into existence, sitting in the presence of his tragically tainted creatures, enjoying the very same food he designed for human nourishment (Luke 7:36-50). Around one meal, Jesus offers sweet friendship and surprising grace to a teacher of the law and a publically labeled wrongdoer. The table levels the playing field and through one familiar ritual of eating a meal, Jesus creates something extraordinary. He’s not just consuming yummy food with his friends, although that may be true, Jesus is establishing a new way for them to encounter the God of the Universe.

By the end of the meal, Jesus says, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” This goes to prove Jesus is healing the great divide created by sin and promising hope out of his deep love and affection. And, he invites us into the promise to heal as well. When Jesus comes “eating and drinking,” he is offering every person who eats and every person who drinks the same chance to experience his love and affection.

Simply enjoy a meal with Jesus this week by stopping to reflect on what you are eating and what it would be like to have Jesus sit and eat the meal with you.

By Yvonne Biel 

After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, “Follow me.”  And leaving everything, he rose and followed him. And Levi made him a great feast in his house, and there was a large company of tax collectors and others reclining at table with them.  And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.  I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” Luke 5:27-32

Jesus is grace extended to us. He went out and talked to the tax collector. This didn’t make Jesus “unclean”; it brought the tax collector to repentance. It ended Levi’s old life and began a new one. The exuberant tax collector changed his ways and made a great feast in his house to introduce his tax collector friends to Jesus. The celebration brought criticism to both Jesus and the tax collector, but God was glorified, new believers were established and Kingdom growth occurred. Jesus brings love and forgiveness to the sinner rather than being defiled by association. Jesus’ way with sinners was not to shout at them from a distance, but to spend time with them face to face.

We are Jesus’ grace extended to others. We are not defiled by associating with those who need the Savior, either. It seems the longer we have been his follower the more we become isolated from the people we are supposed to reach. Fight this and go. Talk to your neighbors. Get face to face. Jesus asks us to do for others what he did for us. He received us as sinners. Because of the joy of our salvation, Jesus wants us to bring others to receive his salvation also. May we be like Levi, so happy about our transformed life that we can’t resist sharing what Jesus has done.

Levi began his new life by hosting a dinner. He invited his friends to meet Jesus, his honored guest. There is power at the table. Walls fall down when bellies fill up. There is openness and opportunity.  Eating the feast means being welcomed into a more established relationship. Jesus’ welcoming grace extends to all unconditionally. Think of him inviting you to sup with him today. How would you feel? Excited, nervous, suspicious, ashamed, honored? Why might that be? What insight does this give you in extending his grace to others?

By Donna Burns  

The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Luke 7:34

The table neatly set. Plates, forks, spoons, knives. Glasses of milk are poured. Steam from hot food rises; smells of home-cooked goodness. Mashed potatoes, gravy, peas, rolls, okra, corn on the cob. “Thank you, Lord, for our many blessings,” prays my Granddaddy. And then we eat. But we don’t just eat. We talk, we laugh, we recount the activities of the day. We learn. We listen. My Grandmommy tries to get up several times to get this or that but my Granddaddy beckons her back with “Sit down, Mother.” He doesn’t want her to miss this. This time together. This table moment that goes beyond physical nourishment. It is soul nourishment.

So much of eating is a vehicle for something more. For friendship. For conversation. For relationship. The Son of Man came eating and drinking. He came for friendship, for conversation, for relationship. He meets us where we are at and extends friendship to the least deserving. And he gets highly criticized for it. In first century culture who you sat with at the table was who you were identifying with. No wonder he was called a glutton and a drunkard. Even if he wasn’t overeating or over-drinking, the fact that he was at a meal with those who were made him just like them. Despite the criticism, Jesus continued to seek out the sinner and to befriend the outcast. And he did this through the most basic and regular rhythm of our everyday lives: meals. They come three times a day, every day. And he was there. Not only to eat, but to listen, to tell stories, to ask questions. To extend friendship.

What comes to your mind as you think of the many meals you have experienced in your life? Perhaps you have some fond memories of meals similar to what I shared and perhaps you have some painful memories. This week, pick a meal to share with a friend or a stranger. Be spontaneous and reach out with a “let’s do lunch.”

By Ellen Rosenberger 

“When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field right up to its edge, neither shall you gather the gleanings after your harvest. And you shall not strip your vineyard bare, neither shall you gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard. You shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am the Lord your God. Leviticus 19:9-10

My time in Africa was wonderful and gut wrenching at the same time. I wrote about my thoughts on the painful aspects last Friday. Today, I will share some insight into the hospitality experienced on my trip to Nairobi, Kenya, Africa.

I stayed with Tyler and Amy Maxwell, as well as their children, during my trip. The hospitality demonstrated by them towards me was wonderful. Great conversation over wonderful dinners, in car rides, and during our times with the street boys. I was asked if I needed anything and whether I slept well; they also provided honest answers to my many questions. They served me well. The verses in Mark 9 regarding hospitality (included in a writing earlier this week) reflect the treatment I received from the Maxwells.

There are a couple of lessons I learned while I was there. One was that the Kenyans are a friendly lot. Just like my previous trips to other cultures, I experienced their desire is to be hospitable. They’re willing to share what they have with others. The Kenyan culture is one of sharing, up to and including their money. Friends and family are free to ask for help financially of each other, as well as for food, and other necessities of life. There are, of course, implications with sharing funds in that you (being a Kenyan, for example) might short yourself in your expression of sharing. Money given for one thing might be used for another should it be more pressing. That’s different than our Western thinking towards each other and strangers. All in all, every Kenyan I met while there was willing to help me when I needed it. They are indeed very hospitable.

Another lesson learned was that being immersed in a culture different than my own truly is exhausting. When I was telling my wife, Christel, about how tired I would be at the end of the day, she asked me to imagine how tired immigrants (legal and otherwise) and refugees feel when they enter into our culture. I was fortunate to have the Maxwells as an information resource. While there are resources available to immigrants and refugees, they still need to find their way through a culture that is arguably vastly different from their own, with its own prejudices and preconceived notions.

It turns out that hospitality is a multi-faceted concept. It certainly does include taking care of the necessities of life, be it food, clothing, money, or a place to stay. But, I believe, now more than ever, it includes the open hand of acceptance and willingness to help inculturate those who are not familiar with our culture, perhaps experiencing it for the first time. We are told in the Bible to be hospitable towards strangers (Hebrews 13:2). Perhaps when you see someone you don’t know, you’ll approach them with an accepting spirit towards them as a soul, and guide them in hospitable ways, regardless of their individual  culture.

By Rich Obrecht 

“The end of all things is at hand; therefore, be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.  Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.  As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever.”  1 Peter 4:7-11

God created each of us with unique ways of connecting to others. Sharing hospitality with our neighborhood can look as different as each person’s time, treasure and talents. “You have a gift,” Peter assures, “use it to serve one another.” Simply take who you are and what you love and share it. Do you love to watch sports, or play card games, jog?  Ask a neighbor to join you. Coach a neighborhood team. Trade skills to help each other with home improvement projects. Offer to pet sit or walk dogs with neighbors or for an elderly neighbor. Tutor neighborhood kids. Share a hobby or start a neighborhood tradition, like winter s’mores night, summer movie night on the garage door, or spring planting in common areas. Instead of hanging out on the back porch hang out on the front porch more often.

God is asking us to share what he has given us. If we try to relate on our own we might  grumble and feel defeated before we start. If we serve for the wrong reasons we could end up feeling  worn out. But if we depend on the strength that God supplies he is glorified. He gives us the Holy Spirit as our helper. He hasn’t left us on our own; he is with us, in us and for us. Be the first to invite – in his strength and might. Be the first to share – and show you care. Peter admonishes, “keep loving one another earnestly.”

Are you giving what you have, from what God’s given you? If you are not, you’re missing a portion of the purpose for which you were created. He desires for you and those around you to know of his greatness, goodness and grace. John Piper says, “your gift may look small but as part of the revelation of God’s infinite glory it takes on stupendous proportions.” God is not asking you to give something you don’t have. He’s given you a place to begin. Start with his strength, start small and start with what he’s given you. Brainstorm some ways you could share the life God’s given you with the people God has placed in proximity to you. Tell someone about your ideas and pray about doing them.

By Donna Burns