I think I was taken most by the reminder that Jesus had such a heart for the humble of means, status, situations and any other thing that was looked down upon. The book states that modern Christianity - and in particular in our western culture - just doesn't get what a big deal it was at the time for Jesus to sup with these. The best understatement of all was that Jesus was no social climber!
My heart is both warmed and encouraged by the stories that make time and space for the disenfranchised and how letting Jesus flow through us can be a ministry of healing and reconciliation in their lives. When I think about how this might play out today, I can just imagine putting off your friends to make this kind of time. But oh how cool it would be if our friends were already of the same mindset that we could bring them along to minister God's love and mercy to those God puts in our path - and catch up with your friends afterwards.
Another thought came to mind that I'm still thinking about. The book was clearly talking about having a meal in someone's home. In today's culture, many of us share a meal but at a restaurant or similar setting. My thought is that while you can share of yourselves in conversation and ministry at a restaurant - including even picking up the bill for the meal - having someone in your home takes it to a whole other level for today. When I think about having someone to my home for a meal, it means that I've prepared it for them myself. It means being in the very surroundings that I live my life in day to day. It means that how I live is open an available to them. It means that they know where I live, how I keep house, who else lives there with me and other things like this that can still be kept private when we use the convenience of a restaurant. I believe there are advantages to both, but my thought is that to really draw someone near to you, there isn't anything quite like being in their home. There is a place for both and it's good to keep in mind the possibilities.
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Hi Kathy,
ReplyDeleteI liked what you said about having people in your home vs. going out to catch a bite together somewhere:
"It means that they know where I live, how I keep house, who else lives there with me and other things like this that can still be kept private when we use the convenience of a restaurant."
I think that is so true, there's something vulnerable about bringing people into your home. While inviting someone to a meal may not have the same impact as it did in that culture, it still speaks volumes to those who are on the outside of community.
- Lauren