just a thought

Dining in the world of Jesus carried deep meaning and significance.  Where you ate, who you ate with, and where you sat were considered extremely important, carrying social, political and religious ramifications.  If you were a religious person you did not rub shoulders with sinners, tax collectors, or any one else who was socially and religiously living on the margins of the Jewish society.  Jesus preference for inclusive table fellowship was scandalous.  The prejudices that Jesus worked against were behaviors and attitudes that kept people from being fully human.  Jesus consistently sought to deconstruct misguided ideologies and religious bigotry. 

Comments

[Daniel]

So the question then becomes, who should we invite to dinner.

[Mike]

I think it means that I had to say yes to a guy (stranger) last Thursday that needed a ride. That I need to give part of my closet away to a homeless church I am growing fond of. That I stand up for someone who "good Christians" are judging. Hmmmm... I still need to experience table fellowship with those outside of my comfort zone.

[timsamoff]

This is such an important issue -- one that, by and large, seems to be lost on mainstream Christianity... It is truly a tradgedy that our faith doesn't embrace this core concept in Jesus' ideology. And definitely something that should have more focus no matter how uncomfortable it might make us.

[Larry Barbary]

Mike:

I always enjoy reading your blog postings. There is always something to think about, but this one is exceptional.

Then, Tim made the comment: "...no matter how uncomfortable it might make us."

This made me think, yes we are uncomfortable; but as I visualize Jesus he was not the least bit uncomfortable. To be uncomfortable in those situations probably never crossed his mind. He just did it because it was right and just. His view of people carried no judgement of what they were or had been. If he judged at all it was only on what are they now and what are they doing in relation to the living "Kingdom of God".

So, the challenge for us as I see it is to arrive at that point where we have true justice, where we do not judge, where we are no longer uncomfortable with our fellow human beings.

A lot easier to say and see than to do. That's why "justification" is an ongoing lifelong process. We should all expect that perfection, even though it may not become a reality until Christ wraps his arms around us after our corporeal death.

A great post Mike, and thanks to Tim for the trigger.

[Mike]

Larry, great thought. I have been pondering the truth in your comment. In fact I want to use your point in my Seminar Becoming Human on Monday here in Sacramento. Truly, if we were fully human we wouldn't hestitate to do what human beings should do for others without hesitant caution... hmmmmm, this will stick with me.

[Larry Barbary]

Mike:

I'd be honored if you'd use that in any way you can that helps someone's spiritual journey. However, I would ask if I could use you illustration sometime in a sermon series I'm planning. I'll certainly give you full credit.

Thanks,
Larry

[jason smith]

Are you reading Craig Blomberg's book Contagious Holiness? It's all about this.

[Larry Barbary]

Jason:

I have not read that, but now I will have to find it and read it.

Thanks,
Larry

[Mike]

Hey Larry, Yes to your question... Thanks for the book suggestion Jason