The Weekly Encourager – April 4, 2015 – Easter Dinner

Many of you are preparing today for an Easter celebration tomorrow, planning on a joyous church service followed by feasting with family and friends. Christians have so much to celebrate: forgiveness of sins through Jesus' death and resurrection, and the promise of eternal blessedness with the Father. Praise the Lord!

Thinking about Easter Dinner, a recent sermon by Elder Matt Bowles on Biblical Hospitality was a good reminder of Jesus' brand of hospitality. Matt read from Luke 7, where the Son of Man came “eating and drinking” at Simon's house. In that culture, the Pharisees kept things ritually pure, especially in the inner room where meals were eaten. Sinners who had not gone through the proper procedures were not allowed into the inner room, but had to remain in an outer courtyard. Yet, Jesus welcomed a woman who was a known sinner, a woman who had a bad reputation in that town, a person who didn't have the normal social standing and skills that would be expected at such a gathering. Jesus' welcoming of her showed that His reputation was now linked to hers! He would answer any objections against her.

Objections did arise. “What's she doing here? Can't You see she's a sinner? She doesn't belong with us.” Jesus showed how this woman was a better hostess than Simon the Pharisee, then He dropped a spiritual bomb. Luke 7:47 has got to be one of the most precious verses in the Bible. It certainly expresses the spirit of Easter. Jesus said, “Her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much, but he who is forgiven little, loves little.” What an encouragement to anyone who has ever felt that his or her sins are too horrible to be forgiven! Sinner, this verse is for you. The greater your feelings of failure, the more faith you will have in Christ when He forgives you, and the more you will love and honor Him. This woman came with humility, weeping over her sins. She didn't let social convention get in the way; she bypassed the works of outward obedience in favor of inward faith. She came with sincerity, and Jesus had compassion on her need. She came with hope, and He gave her healing. Hallelujah!

Who is coming to your Easter Dinner? Did you invite only those who fit in? Could you perhaps invite a widow, a college student far from home, a neighbor no one gets along with, a colleague visiting from another country, some singles from your church, a military family whose dad or mom is serving abroad, someone persecuted for their religious beliefs? Could you invite the one who is a little “strange” and give him a sense of belonging? Might you know someone of poor reputation or humble means who might be blessed by the love of Christ in your home?

Jesus showed us that meals can be a means of inclusion, not exclusion. We, the Forgiven, are to invite the sinner, the misfit, the outcast, the sojourner, the bruised reed, and give them the hope we have in Christ. Remember that we were outsiders to God, yet we've been brought inside, into the innermost room, and given a seat at the Lord's holy table! Grace leads to intimacy. In the Bible, eating food together is a picture of fellowship and joy. At the table, strangers become friends, enemies become sons and daughters. Understanding the grace of God is the beginning of hospitality.

May the Lord bless you with great Resurrection Rejoicing this weekend! However you celebrate, may you feel the warm rays of the light of Christ and His love for you.

He is risen!
J

To hear Matt Bowles' wonderful message given on March 22, 2015, use this link: http://newhopefairfax.org/resources/sermons-to-hear