November 1st, 2012
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

Core Values Meal

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Opening Prayer

Lord, in a world where many hunger and thirst, I thank You for my daily bread and drink.

Read Luke 14:1-11

[1] One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched. [2] There in front of him was a man suffering from abnormal swelling of his body. [3] Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in the law, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?” [4] But they remained silent. So taking hold of the man, he healed him and sent him on his way. [5] Then he asked them, “If one of you has a child or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull it out?” [6] And they had nothing to say. [7] When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: [8] “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. [9] If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. [10] But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests. [11] For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

Meditate

What are your core values? What would the people around you say they are?

Think Further

Would you accept an invitation to a dinner hosted by someone who hated you? I’d think of a reason to decline. Jesus had preached we should love our enemies; here he practices it by sharing a meal with those who didn’t like him. Reconciliation often begins when we reach out in practical ways to those who are angry with us. The Pharisees weren’t interested in reconciliation with Jesus: they were looking for an opportunity to get him (1). So Jesus takes the initiative by asking the tough question himself, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?” (3). He answers by healing the man with swelling, demonstrating that mercy is always the right choice (4,5; see also 10:25-37). But what he’s really doing is using this awkward situation to communicate some core values in the Kingdom of God.

The first core value is compassion. The Pharisees were so concerned about the mechanics of Sabbath law that they were blind to the obvious: there was a needy person in their midst! I wonder if they intentionally seated the invalid near Jesus to instigate a confrontation. Today we’re much more relaxed about the Sabbath, but are we any more compassionate to those with needs in our midst? When our Christian lifestyle is more characterized by enforcing rules than showing compassion, we’ve gained nothing (1 Cor. 13:1-3).

The second core value is humility. The Pharisees jockeyed for the prominent seats (7) but as Jesus’ parable makes clear, God is pleased with those who take the lowest place (11). I’m surprised that Jesus bothered to tell this parable at all. Even though the Pharisees were filled with sin and pride, Jesus believed they could change. That’s good news for all of us.

Apply

Which do you need to work on more in your life, compassion or humility? Why? Pray for an opportunity to grow in this area today.

Closing prayer

Loving Father, I know there is always room for growth in my life. By Your Spirit, press in on me in the areas I need to focus on.

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