Presby-Musings

There is this great moment in the Gospel of Matthew from the New Testament where Jesus eats at Matthew's house after asking Matthew to come and join him as his follower.   Matthew was a tax collector, which in the first century in Roman-controlled Judea was probably the worst thing you could be.  He skimmed his profits from taxes he collected on behalf of the Roman empire. In other words, he stole from his own people.   Then Jesus went to dinner at Matthew's house and a bunch of other "undesirables" showed up.   While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”  On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.'   Matthew 9:10-13 It's hard f...

Family Values Week Four:  "Hospitality"   This week I am continuing my sermon series entitled Family Values: Rediscovering What's Really Important with a sermon on Hospitality. I think the best illustration of hospitality in action within the Christian community is revealed in the time honored tradition of potluck dinners.   Potluck dinners are so named because everyone who attends brings a dish to share with the community.  The idea is that when everyone brings something, there's plenty to go around and everyone gets a chance to share and sample to their heart's content.  I have had some crazy good meals at church potluck dinners. I have a confession to make, though.  I am the guy that brings Kentucky Fried Chicken to the potluck.  I bring it, man.  Straight up in the box so everyone knows what it is.  I have NEVER taken home leftovers. Church potluck dinners are almost always unfair, though.  Someone generally forgets or br...