Superior beings?

In Luke chapter 14 we hear Jesus speaking to the Pharisees with whom he is eating a meal.   He is speaking about the industrious social climbing he sees at banquets.   He tells them that if they choose for themselves to sit at the top table they might be embarrassed later when their host asks them to move down the table for a special guest.   He suggests they should sit in a lower place and later enjoy being "upgraded to first class".   In this passage Luke is not suggesting Jesus is giving social advice - far from it.   Luke describes this as a parable.   So we need to look at it in this way.   We are hearing a story with a heavenly meaning.

 

My wife and I, about two years ago, were invited to attend a celebration dinner at our old church in Shaw, Oldham.   On arrival we noticed there were place labels on the tables and that ours was on the top table.   On checking the various names I realised that I was sitting with the other former church secretaries.   There was a social hierarchy in existence!   Actually, we enjoyed the event because it is always good to spend time with people who also have undertaken the senior lay job in a local United Reformed Church.   I say this, not from the point of view of status, but from a point where we could share our experience of this bed of nails!

Remember the words of the Magnificat when Mary spoke about the child she was to have.   When he embarked on his ministry he would be teaching a reversal of values so that those at the bottom of the social strata would find themselves elevated and really valued.   It is important for us all to remember that we are equally privileged to sit at God's banquet together.   Personally, I cannot understand the thinking of those who consider themselves superior to others.   What value there is in social climbing I do not know.   I am happy to be me and loved so much by God.   Why does God love me?   Is it anything I have done or achieved?   No, he just loves me, and that is enough for me.   No wonder we sing about Amazing grace!

 

It is worth remembering how we are all equally loved by God because it reflects so much that is valuable.   When Paul talks about the various parts of the human body, pointing out the interdependence of the members we are seeing how, whatever our contribution, how each part plays a vital role.   Christianity works so well because we all play out our individual parts to make the whole movement effective.   As we work together like this we find ourselves able to confound the strongest forces in life.   It is a very practical way of life and capable of amazing achievements in the name of Jesus.

 

One of the reasons that throughout history so many Christians were imprisoned for their faith was that those in power could see how extraordinarily difficult it was to both extinguish their belief and to reduce the effect of their religion.   The quiet, dogged refusal to give way has shown, throughout the ages, the resilience of our faith.   In Roman times many Christians were sent to the arenas for supporting those already condemned.   The court judges continued to send many Christians to their deaths.   These victims were, amazing though it seems, actually proud to follow their saviour to death in his name.   This sort of pressure from those expecting nothing but pain and death was extremely hard to resists.   And here we are today, in receipt of a heritage of such calibre.

 

We continue to sit in the lower seats and find ourselves promoted to sitting with Jesus.   Let no one pretend they are superior.   We are equal.   Together we can move the mountains of life because we have the Creator on our side.   It takes a long time to get through, but we make it, thanks to almighty God.   For all who are called to the high table of God there is abundant joy and an amazing grace to see us through.