There’s a constant temptation to think that ‘real sinners’ are the others. Essentially, people not like us. We like to think that Jesus will sort ‘them’ out.
But what if He sees us, ‘the respectable sort’ and invites us to change? What would that set us free from? What would that make possible for us?
Jesus, the transforming guest offers us all that opportunity.
This Sunday we will read the story of a small man with a big reputation who found that he had to set an extra place at the table for Jesus. If you grew up in Sunday School, you sang about the man, acted the story out, coloured in the pictures. Once you’ve met him, you never forget Zachaeus
Have you ever wondered whether others are asking: What is s/he doing here? Who does s/he think s/he is?
It’s the feeling that maybe you don’t have the right to be in the conversation, or the experience to be in the team, or the skills to be used in a task.
Most of us have only got just-enough security, that it doesn’t take much for us to be destabilised. And the thought that people might be asking these questions can really rock us…
Jesus was regularly invited to meals. Some wanted to argue with him, others just wanted to get close to him.
Some folks were socially at ease with him. But some seemed to make a fuss – to such an extent that it could be embarrassing.
But Jesus didn’t seem fazed by it, In fact he seemed to enjoy it. Maybe it was because he knew that this is how grace feels to those starved of hope.
That’s still how it feels.
Excessive displays of adoration are always embarrassing for those watching on. It’s hard not to make a joke about it, or whisper some catty remark, or groan grumpily. After all, who wants to watch this emotional incontinence?
One of the most difficult things we have had to deal with over the last year is the loss of close contact with others.
We will be part of the healing process to the extent that we offer space, time and food to others.
Hospitality matters! But we will always feel awkward if we haven’t come to terms with the fact that Jesus asks to eat with us first – in all our mess and confusion.
In a few months there will be opportunities to meet with groups of people again. In restaurants, coffee shops or in our homes. I’ve missed that so much.
But it’s coming, so it’s time to prepare ourselves. After a year of distance, we need to be ready to receive one another again.
It’s time to think about who you will want to invite.
A good ending is important.
Do ever turn to the end of a book to see how it ends so you can relax into the story? Or is that just me?
Do you ever to the end of a film and ask ‘is that it?’, feeling somehow cheated at the loose ends that haven’t been tied, or worse, with a feeling that the actors and directors got bored and just stopped!
You may be in the storm. But you know the God who is bigger than the storms. The storm may go on much longer than you would wish. But you are there for a purpose.
It takes courage to speak when you know that your views will be at odds with the prevailing culture. It’s hard to put your head above the parapet. I think it might become more normal for us to be shamed publicly for the views we hold. We might need to be ready to be unpopular.
This year we are going to need the strength that God can give to live well. That won’t happen just by hoping. I’m going to need to keep doing the things that I know will make the difference. And I need to start now.
We may feel it’s too late for something to happen, or that things have happened too soon for us.
But God holds our future, holds our past, and holds us today. We need to learn to put our time in His hands.
Salford Elim Church St. James Hope 3 Vicarage Close Salford M6 8EJ
info@salfordelimchurch.org
07771 558 058
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Elim Foursquare Gospel Alliance
Registered Charity 251549 (England & Wales) SC037754 (Scotland)
