Unflattering Dinner Guest

Jesus was invited over for dinner in Luke 11:37. He was invited to the house of a Pharisee, and then things went crazy from them. Jesus was criticized for not following the Jewish custom of ceremonially washing before a meal. Jesus begins to tell all the religious leaders that have assembled that he is fully aware of the changes that need to take place in their lives. He doesn't just see the outside appearance but He knows what is in their hearts. He knows their hypocrisy, He knows their greed, He knows how they have ignored and murdered God's messengers.

The harshest indictment is found in Luke 11:52. "How terrible it will be for you experts in religious law! For you hide the key to knowledge from the people. You don't enter the Kingdom yourselves, and you prevent others from entering." Their entire role in the Jewish community was preserving, teaching, and sharing the word of God. They were not living by the Word, they were not sharing the Word, and they were preventing so many from knowing God. Here is the thing we must remember: these were religious people, they were faithful people, they were the Baptist church members that attend the Sunday night worship service.

Hear the applicable warning of the rude dinner guest: Be a mimic of Christ! Don't mimic man, or religious tradition, or some other person, but mimic Christ. What are you doing to share the good news of Christ with others? What are you doing to reach out to those that are less fortunate than you? How are you keeping yourself open to God's Word? How are you putting into practice what you learn from His Word? Who have you told recently about the good news of Jesus Christ? Who are you personally walking alongside to share and model Christ-likeness for?

These religious people hated the day they invited Jesus over for a meal. In fact, from that time on they were hostile toward Him. Why? He told them the truth, and they didn't want to accept or hear it. What is God trying to tell you that is difficult to hear or apply?

Pray this prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to hear from you today, help me to listen to you today, and help me to make adjustments in how I live according to what you have to say to me. Lord, I want to fear You above everyone else (Luke 12:5)!