Friday of the Fourth Sunday in Lent

Read Luke 14:1–6, 15–24

Image

I invited that young rabbi to my home to share the Sabbath meal tonight. Immediately, he disregarded the Commandments by healing someone who didn’t even ask for it. I’m convinced he acted simply to spite us. We Pharisees seethed as he invoked Sabbath livestock provisions to justify his actions.

Then he proceeded to insult every single person around the table. Who is this backwoods carpenter, to lecture synagogue rulers on social precedence? Who does he think he is, telling us we should flout proper hierarchy and order? He then spun a tale of a man who brought in wretches to fill his table when friends rejected his invitation. His metaphors were thinly veiled; he’s insinuating that we’re about to get passed over in God’s kingdom. The gall of that illegitimate upstart! His arrogance will be his undoing.

Jesus, give me a humble heart and a teachable spirit; don’t let my arrogance blind me to your work.

Text by Jodi Craiglow

Video from First United Presbyterian Church of Belleville, IL