Part 28 – Two Banquets and the Life of the World – Matthew 13:53—14:12
November 10, 2019Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Speaker: Jerry Cisar
You arrive home after work one day, grab the mail on the way in and throw it on the counter. Pop the dinner which you picked up on the way home into the microwave and begin sorting through the mail. An invitation printed on very nice stationary stands out. A banquet at the Vinoy; from a powerful politician. Private, invitation-only, celebrating this politician’s birthday, lavish entertainment.
After a few advertisements is something from the church. An upcoming seminar on a Saturday about how to care for the needy. It’s all day; meals are on your own. You can also bring non-perishable food items for the poor. Both events require an RSVP. Both events are on the same Saturday. What do you choose?
This Sunday’s text sets before us two banquets. One a lavish banquet in a luxurious palace with the who’s who in the region, by invitation of a powerful politician– a king. The food? Lavish. The entertainment? Titillating. The end? Death. Turns out the main course is John the Baptist’s head on a platter. The second really didn’t involve an invitation, per se. In fact, you’d be barging in on this person’s retreat. But He always helps the lowly and the needy. The food? On your own. The entertainment? If you count teaching. The end? Life. The guest of honor gives himself for you!
Join us in worship as we explore Matthew 14 under the title: Two Banquets and the Life of the World.