Scripture:

Enjoying some table fellowship in England. 

Luke 18:28   Then Peter said, “Look, we have left our homes and followed you.” ²⁹ And he said to them, “Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, ³⁰ who will not get back very much more in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.”

Observation:

This dialogue comes as a conclusion to the conversations about what it takes to follow Jesus. The reality is sinking in, that whether one leaves little or much, the pain of what one leaves is the same. This is a complete reorientation of life, focused on the kingdom of God, and this focus leads us to ministry on the margins and to the poor. The poor become valued as though they are members of our own family. 

Application:

It’s easy to focus our lives on our family and close friends. Having regular meals with them is not usually a difficult task, but there are many in this world for whom this is not an option. 

One of the joys of being a part of a global church is finding family almost anywhere in the world. I’m amazed at how often I’ve been invited into someone’s home for a meal, simply because we are a part of the same church family. Whether a Sunday dinner in Thailand, or Germany, or in Nigeria — I’ve been blessed by being welcomed to table fellowship. 

While I may have experienced this table fellowship, I wonder how often it is experienced by the newcomer to our local church communities. When the new person walks into the church, whether rich or poor, they should be greeted as a part of the family. Instead of only spending Sunday with our closest friends and family members, the new person should be invited home, or out with you almost immediately. This is what we do with family! This is the reorientation of life. 

As a little girl my mother cooked Sunday dinner, and always made extra food. We children were encouraged to invite someone home for Sunday dinner, because there would always been enough food and space made at the table. This was a part of my discipleship journey and some of the greatest learning happened around those tables. This was the reorientation of life that was taught to me by my parents. 

The call to discipleship is real, as is the reorientation of life. We can never live the same way again, if we are to leave all that we have and live into the kingdom of God. 

Prayer:

Lord, may today and every day be lived in and through your kingdom. Amen.