Who Is Welcome At Your Table?

Luke 15:2 KJV; Who is welcome at your table? Who is welcome at the Lord's Table?

Are Strangers Really Welcome At Your Table?

And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. (Luke 15:2 KJV)

I grew up in an area steeped in the Finnish-American culture. Finns like to feed people. One never went for coffee anywhere without having the table heaped with goodies, if not a full meal. My mother was an awesome hostess. She was a great cook. She often invited friends and strangers into our home. She and my dad would meet strangers as they wandered around the countryside. She would invite them to come and visit. Many did visit and when they came, she would welcome them like they were royalty.

Whenever I travel, I try to find a place to worship; a house of God where my brothers and sisters in Christ will welcome me as well as all strangers. There is usually a multitude of choices. Maybe because of the culture I grew up in, I am acutely aware of whether or not I am really welcome to eat at the Lord's Table or even be there. Many congregations do not provide this meal to nourish the traveler or stranger. Others make it painfully obvious that strangers are not welcome at their table. They appear to be afraid that our sins are too great to allow us to partake of the food which will nourish our souls. They would keep us from the very Body of Christ that was given for our salvation.

May God help us to welcome both neighbor and stranger to receive the good gifts that God has provided us through His Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.

God's Peace - Pr. J

A Life For A Life

For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.  (1 Peter 1:18-19 NIV)

I often wonder how many actually get that we are truly sinners. We are not so good that we're all going to go to heaven by our own merits. We all ought to know this by now; but, do we all really believe it? I would think if we really believed it we would actually try just a little harder to be thankful to the Lord for all he has done and follow in the Way he would have us go. Or, are we still going about business as usual according to the way that makes us the most comfortable; steeped in sin? 

Do not believe the lie that we are all saved and everything is good just that way it is. Do not believe it for our salvation cannot be bought or earned by anyone; but, the one who is without sin and that only one is Jesus. 

He gave his life for us. We were not bought by silver or gold. It was a life for a life. In order that we might live eternally with our Father in heaven; his only begotten Son gave his life in exchange for our sins. Jesus, an innocent man, was willing to be persecuted, tortured, and executed in the place of the guilty, in our place. He gave his sinless life for our sin-filled lives that we might live.

May God help us to love more fully the one who exchanged his life for our life; through whom all who believe in him shall receive eternal life. 

God's Peace - Pr. J