Dinner with Jesus
Tony E Hansen
Sermon based upon Luke 24:13-35. Psalm 116, Acts: 2:14,36-41
Opening prayer:
May the words of my mouth and the meditations of all of our hearts be acceptable to you O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen !
There are many shows we see where a "boss" will go into their place of business - incognito mode. The attempt then is, theoretically, to observe how the people work and how they treat customers. Some might argue this as a sinister plot to pick on people. That may be but lets give benefit of the doubt.
Do we treat people differently because we know them or don’t? Do we treat them differently because they dress a certain way or talk in my accent versus some other dialect or whole other language?
What happens when people are observed versus just going about our work day?
When we knew “corporate” was coming to the store, we run around doing the flight of bumble bee to clean everything, face product and make sure everyone was saying the correct things. e.g. You know you can use your store card to get rewards and cash back on that purchase??
What happens when these visits are unannounced?
This raises more questions.
Do we treat people differently because we know they worship differently or don’t believe? What if they exhibit all that Jesus teaches us? Jealous maybe? What if they, like the Pope, preach the lessons of the Gospel about peace, love of neighbor, love thy enemies, and forgiveness? Will we listen? How about dinner?
In our lesson today, a couple guys are walking along when another person joins them. They are talking all about what has happened to Jesus “…a prophet mighty in deed and word before God…” and how women reported seeing him alive.
They, being hospitable, invite this person to dinner to realize this is “that guy!” What a moment that has to be! The Boss has come to observe and teach again!
You know their questions involve, “Did we measure up? How did we not know?”
Good thing this wasn’t at the pearly gates. no? What happens then?
What would you do if you realized you were having dinner with Jesus?
I think that is part of what I see happen when I go on routes with UBFM.
When you hand a meal to someone on the street and they just light up with joy - that someone even saw them, let alone give them food. For a brief moment, we have dinner with Christ because you see Christ there - bringing us together in place and sometimes prayer.
That burrito may seem plain to us, but it sure tastes awesome when given with radical love and hospitality.
We don’t know the circumstances of how people get there and what they have been doing to get out of there. They often share that. That person is there no less and they are deserving of love, hospitality and grace just as much as anyone. AND they will show you a vision of Christ - if you let the Spirit work.
That is why we call experiences like this as, “God moments.”
Yes people of all different beliefs serving people in the community without judgement. Some may just be doing required community service. Some may do it for this reason or that, but the volunteer, along with their heart, is in the right place at the right time for an experience.
God happens, Christ appears, the Spirit shows up -> and in ways that aren’t announced or planned, but the divine shows where there is space for grace and love to exist. We don’t even know what they believe or don’t but the Spirit guides us and welcomes us into the presence.
That is why the Gospel message is pretty direct and simple but is not easy. Following Jesus is simple to say but not easy to do.
How do we act and think or choose words when we think God is not watching?
We don’t need just UBFM time or Sunday morning for God to happen because God doesn’t keep schedules like that.
We are to be love, grace, hope and forgiveness to all and everyday of our lives (and every hour). That Beloved, is why following Jesus is not easy!
The Gospel doesn’t ask us to do easy things and go with the herd. It doesn’t ask to take the tally of socially viable or if you align with some litmus test for being conservative or liberal. Nor is it a virtual vending machine or transaction.
The Gospel is the truth and requires us to look deep into ourselves first to find the love of God inside us and also to witness that love in the people around us - regardless if we like them or if they have done right to us.
If we question whether someone should have a weapon (or even bigger weapon). That is moot when the people complaining are using pretty big ones themselves. That sounds more like a bully and not exhibiting what Christ teaches.
Perhaps instead of throwing punches, we sit and talk to see what we do together. Let the Spirit work to help find space for the divine in our lives rather than looking for blame - or a fight.
If we let the Spirit guide us and calm our fears, there would not be worry nor blame. There would not be questions of faith and grace because we would be the example of Christ to those who need to see it - especially to those we think might be hostile to us.
Beloved, the Boss has come to visit, wants to know what we have learned and if we express the Gospel of love. The Boss invites us to dinner, what will you say? What will you do?
Thanks be to God! Amen!
