A Seat at the Table
Making Room at the Table: Reaching and Receiving the Lost
When we think about sharing our faith, we often focus on the "reaching" part - telling others about Jesus, inviting them to church, or sharing the gospel. But there's another crucial element that's just as important: being prepared to receive those who respond to our invitation.
What Does It Mean to Be "For the One"?
Being "for the One" means we care about lost people meeting Jesus. But it requires both reaching the lost and receiving them when they come. Think about hosting any party - you don't just send out invitations and hope for the best. You prepare food, arrange seating, and create an environment where guests feel welcome.
The same principle applies to our faith community. An invitation without preparation isn't really consideration for the person you're inviting. When we reach out to others about Jesus, we must also prepare our hearts and our church to welcome them into the family of God.
Jesus' Heart for Reaching and Receiving
In John 14, Jesus demonstrates this perfectly. He tells his disciples to "believe in me" - that's the reaching part. But then he adds, "In my Father's house are many rooms... I go to prepare a place for you." Jesus doesn't just want people to believe; he wants them to belong. He's preparing a place where they can be part of the family.
The Story of Levi: From Tax Collector to Disciple
Luke 5:27-32 tells the remarkable story of Levi (also called Matthew), a tax collector who encountered Jesus. Tax collectors in that era were considered the lowest of the low - Jewish people who betrayed their own nation by collecting money for Rome while skimming profits for themselves.
Jesus Makes Levi the Lord of His Heart
When Jesus simply said "Follow me," Levi immediately left everything behind. This wasn't likely an impulsive decision. Levi had probably been spiritually empty despite his material success. He had everything the world could offer but was sitting in his tax booth feeling hollow inside.
This teaches us that money, success, and power make miserable masters. They can be good tools and opportunities, but terrible lords of our lives. The question we must ask ourselves is: Who or what is the master of my life? What kingdom am I building with my time, energy, and resources?
Levi Makes Room for the Lost in His Home
Immediately after following Jesus, Levi threw a great feast and invited "a large company of tax collectors and others" to meet Jesus. Notice that when it says Levi "left everything," he still had his house and resources for this feast. He didn't abandon his possessions - he changed their purpose. Instead of serving Caesar, everything now served Jesus.
Levi's conversion didn't make him withdraw from lost people; it moved him toward them. His heart overflowed with generosity, and he wanted his friends to meet the Jesus who had transformed his life.
When Religious People Grumble
The Pharisees and scribes - the religious leaders of the day - grumbled about Jesus eating with tax collectors and sinners. But Jesus responded clearly: "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
This reveals Jesus' mission statement. He came specifically to reach and receive the lost, not just to minister to those who already considered themselves righteous.
Beware of Hearts Growing Cold
One of the greatest dangers for those who have been following Jesus for a while is that our hearts can grow cold to the lost. The longer we sit at the table with Jesus, the easier it becomes to stop noticing who's not at the table.
Some warning signs of a cold heart toward the lost include:
Having difficulty thinking of non-Christians in your life
Questioning why resources should go toward evangelism instead of existing members
Being uncomfortable with how "outsiders" dress or act in church
Believing people with certain pasts shouldn't be allowed to serve
Which Seat Are You Sitting In?
Imagine yourself at Levi's banquet. There are four possible seats:
Levi's Seat: Grateful and generous, overflowing with thankfulness for your new life in Christ and eager to share it with others.
The Friends' Seat: Still figuring out who Jesus is, invited by someone else, in a posture of learning.
The Disciples' Seat: Committed to Jesus but sometimes confused about his methods, still learning why he welcomes certain people.
The Pharisees' Seat: Grumbling about Jesus' approach, withholding grace from others that you've freely received.
Life Application
This week, examine your heart honestly. Are you growing closer to the things of Jesus while growing colder to the people Jesus came to save?
Challenge yourself to both reach and receive the lost. If you don't know any non-Christians, ask God to bring them into your life. If you do know them, consider how you can create space - in your home, your schedule, your heart - to welcome them not just to hear about Jesus, but to experience Christian community.
Remember that sinners are saved through preaching the Gospel, but they're transformed into saints at the table - in relationship with Jesus and his people over time.
Questions for Reflection:
Who is currently the master of your life - Jesus or something else?
When was the last time you invited a non-Christian into your home or life?
How prepared is your heart to receive someone whose lifestyle or past makes you uncomfortable?
Are you sitting in Levi's seat of grateful generosity, or have you moved toward the Pharisees' seat of grumbling criticism?
