Ed Stevens (front center) is baptized

“One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched”¦Then Jesus said to his host, “˜When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
Luke 14:1, 12-14

Before Jesus could preach about the Great Banquet, he needed to show what made a great banquet. To Jesus, life was all about people. I imagine this Pharisee’s house was full of great food, expensive gifts and prominent people. We love so much to serve the people that are like us. At the Pharisee’s house, the guests were much more concerned about image than servitude. Concern for one another was replaced by conceit, humility was exchanged for feeling honored and popularity determined who was at the party. Selfishness always has and always will be an unsavory sin with detrimental consequences to ourselves and others. Jesus, determined to change the Pharisaical hearts at this banquet, confronted the host. He told them to invite the less fortunate for they need it the most. In the midst of his teaching, Jesus begins to explain the big picture to the hard-hearted Pharisees. Jesus reiterates his point of remembering the poor by explaining the parable of the Great Banquet. He explained that even the master of the house (God) will serve “the poor, the crippled, the blind and lame.” Very clearly, God expects for disciples everywhere to serve.

Last Thursday, thirteen incredible hearts from our church decided to serve those less fortunate at an annual Thanksgiving Breakfast for the homeless. For most people, Thanksgiving is a time of family, big turkeys, desserts, games and relaxation. But for too many people, there will be no home to return to, no turkey to eat, no dressing on the side and no games. During the Thanksgiving Breakfast we served pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, orange juice and much more to the homeless. We arrived at 6:30AM the morning of Thanksgiving ready to serve. One of our sisters had organized much of this effort and after a couple of hours of preparing food, we began to serve and have fun interacting with people there. I was proud to see disciples young and old interacting with many that now felt discarded and discouraged. After a little more than 5 hours, we had served over 70 people!

Bhuwan Thapaliya wrote a poem called “Stand Up Against Poverty.” In the poem he writes,

Stand up against poverty
stand up against hunger
stand up for the humanity
with a resolute heart, and
let this be your pledge.
But remember, my friend!
It is not how you stand up,
and where you stand up
but why you stand up,
how long you stand up,
and how much effort
you put with a noble heart
into the cause that matters much.
Ah! My friend, today people
stand up for the sake of
standing up only,
and if you are one of those
then you better sit down
and let them stand up, who are
really concerned for those
who can’t stand up on their own.

Serving the poor inspired me and helped all of us to be more grateful for what we have in Jesus Christ. Indeed, there are those who “stand up” only to show others that they are spiritual. Others, will never stand up for what is right. But I am excited to see disciples standing up against poverty and standing up for righteousness. Together during this holiday season, let us all take a “genuine interest in the welfare” of others and let the scripture ring true, “the righteous stand firm forever.” (Proverbs 10:25)

For the Kingdom,
Anthony Franklin

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