DINNING WITH CHRIST

Luke 19:1-10; 7:36-50; John 21:1-14

Jesus never refused a dinner invitation. Sometimes he would invite himself literally speaking. We are going to consider three different occasions when Jesus dined with somebody. In each of those occasions, His glory was manifested; the work of salvation was advanced. Someone attending the dinner received a divine encounter. This fulfils the scripture that says, “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word proceeding form the mouth of God” (Mat.4:4; Luke 4:4). The stories we shall read today will help us understand Jesus better. I pray that someone in this gathering, this barbecue day will receive a divine encounter in Jesus name! We are going to consider only three of such occasions.

1. A Buffet With Zacchaeus

(Luke 19:1-10)

 Baffled Publican (Luke 19:1-4): Zacchaeus was a chief or leader of the publicans. A man of small stature, he could not hope to see Jesus face to face though he very much wanted to see him, just as everybody wanted to see Him. Christ’s fame was increasing day by day (Luke 2:52; Mat.4:24; 9:31; Mark 1:28). Eighteen times in the gospels, the evangelists described multitudes following Christ (Mat.4:25; 5:1; 8:1, 18; 9:8, 33, 36; 11:7; 12:15; 13:2; 14:22, 23; 15:30; 21:9; 26:55; Luke 5:15; 14:25). Many of those were sick, wounded, helpless and lost. Christ healed them all, comforted and fed them all. Those oppressed by the devil were delivered. Those burdened with sin were saved. Zacchaeus was one of them. He needed acceptance! So he wanted to see Jesus. Jesus knew what he needed most – salvation… (Rom.3:23; also (Rom.3:10-18); (Rom.6:23; 5:8; 10:9-10; 5:1).
Blissful Believer (Luke 19:5-10): The dinner with Christ marked a turning point in the life and career of Zacchaeus. That day Zacchaeus was saved and became a believer in Christ! That day he knew that what preachers normally call the four spiritual laws were applicable to him. He came to know that (1) “God loved him and had a wonderful plan for his life” (John 3:16); (2) Humanity is tainted with sin and therefore separated from God. “As a result, we cannot know God’s wonderful plan for our live in that state” (Rom.3:23; 6:23); (3)”Jesus Christ is God’s only provision for our sin (Rom.5:8; John 14:6; Acts 4:12); (4) “We must place our faith in Christ Jesus as saviour in order to receive the gift of salvation (John 1:12; Acts 6:31). Zacchaeus believed and was saved. Compare this with (Luke 18:24-25). We see that Jesus can save the rich in spite of the difficulty . If you believe today you can be saved!
Bewildered Onlookers (Luke 19:7-10): Do not expect the whole world to praise you and clap for you when you get saved. Instead you will face persecution (Gal.6:12; 2Tim.3:12). Enemies of God will not be applauding you for being saved! Many, especially the Pharisees, where angry with Jesus for “breaking” their tradition by visiting a sinner and dinning with him! The action of these onlookers were (i) predictable - the enemy always finds ways to oppose Christ's work; (ii) prodigal/plentiful - "they all", without exception complained against the Lord; (iii) It was perfidious/perverted - "..gone to be guest with a sinner.." was an irresponsible comment. Christ had a divine purpose for going to Zacchaeus. Have you dined with a sinner lately? 

2. A Banquet With Simon

(Luke 7:36-50)
A Captivated Audience (Luke 7:36, 49): Dinners and banquets were common among the Jews during the time of Christ. Rich Pharisees like Simon held elaborate dinners from time to time. Simon was a Pharisee and held a dinner and invited Jesus, and other people too, many of whom would be Brother Pharisees. Pharisees were known for their insistence on observing the tiniest details of the Torah while ignoring the weightier matters of the Law (Mark 7:2, 5, 8; Mat.23:23). Of the many other things they did was not permitting a perceived sinner into their home. Simon invited Jesus to the dinner. He should have washed the feet of Jesus and given him a welcome kiss just like other honoured guests. But He did not. Many of the guests probably saw an opportunity to ask questions and to trap Jesus.
 A Convincing Anguish: (Luke 7:38):  Suddenly this woman came crashing in! Consider four facts about the woman that crashed into the dinner uninvited: (i) she was defiled, (ii) she was desperate, (iii) she was daring and, (iv) she was determined. All the gourmet that Simon provided, all the dainty food would not satisfy her. She risked ridicule, and even rejection. All that did not perturb her. She must tell Jesus all of her gratitude. She must pour out all her heart and lay her love at the feet of Jesus. Her fragile frame obviously shook with sobs gratitude for what Jesus had done for her. She must show Jesus that she really meant to thank Him for forgiveness! compare with (1Cor.7:11)
Jesus was convinced of the genuineness of her repentance (Mat.3:7-10). Have you repented? Is your repentance genuine? Can we see the fruit of it?
A Convicting Analyses (Luke 7:39-46): As the Master teacher, Jesus uses a parable to drive home his condemnation of Simon. The person who owed little represents Simon and the person who owed much represents the sinful woman. This sinful woman was overwhelmed with guilt and condemnation and desperately needed forgiveness. Christ forgave her. She showed the fruit of her repentance and love by lowering herself to the place of the lowest servant (Luke 7:38, 44-46). Jesus was all the time conscious that Simon did not accord him the honour of a guest. By his statement in (Luke 7:39), Simon denied the deity of Christ; he denied His dignity; he denied the discernment of Christ. But this lady did what Simon should have done for Christ. Simon’s ego was deflated!
A Calculated Absolution (Luke 7:47-50): Forgiven! That’s what the lady came for, not for Simon’s dainties. She wasn't forgiven much because she loved much! She loved much because she was forgiven much! She received forgiveness of her sins! She was saved from her sin. She went home rejoicing! This is clearly what Jesus came to do - to seek and save that which was lost, to forgive men's sins, to grant them a place in the Kingdom of God! Who can with argue this? A verse of one old hymn says,

How can I show my gratitude to Jesus,
For His love unfailing and His tender care?
I will proclaim to others His salvation,
That they may accept Him and His promise share,



How do you show your gratitude to Jesus! Do you unashamedly proclaim what he has done for you? Do you serve Him with all you are and all you have?

3. A Barbecue On the Beach

(John 21:1-14)
3.1 A Perplexing Proposal (John 21:1-3): “I go a fishing”. Do you see that? Peter was going back to his original fishing business! And over half of the disciples decided to follow Peter! This is perplexing because Jesus has called them and made them fishers of men (Mat.4:18-20). This is backsliding – leaving what Christ called you to do and going back to do your own business (Luke 9:59-62).
3.2 A Puzzling Promptness (John 21:3): These disciples were very prompt in joining Peter to go fishing. They had followed Jesus for the past three years; they had travelled with Him, ate with Him, heard Him teach and preach, saw all the miracles he did. But they also saw Him crucified. They knew He rose from the dead. He had been appearing to them since He rose from the dead. Were they being discouraged? Were they going back to try to provide for their families? Did they want to get away from it all? Despite all that had happened in their lives the past three years,  they just decided to go fishing.
3.3 A premonitory Persistency (John 21:3; Luke 5:5). They must be aware that they were doing the wrong thing but they wanted it to succeed. They were persistent. They toiled all night. But the result was stark – the caught nothing. To fishermen that is not strange because it does happen. This night was just different, they just gone back fishing, leaving behind their divine assignments. Many today here the call of Christ – call to repentance, call to follow Christ,  call to holiness, call to purity, call to righteousness; but they ignore it and carry on living their own way. If you are in that category Jesus is calling you today, “Come and dine”. If you heed His invitation, he will save you; He will prepare a table before you in the presence of your enemies; He will provide a future for you in heaven. 
3.4 A Ponderous Pull In (John 21:4-8): Jesus seeing that they caught nothing, decided to perform a miracle to remind them of their life commitments. “Cast your net on the other side” – (i)on the side of Christ; (ii) on the side of His Kingdom; (iii) on the side of repentance; (iv) on the side of obedience to His word. Only when we do this will we have good success. He will guide us in the path of righteousness. He will prepare a table before us in the presence of our enemies (Psalm 23:1-6). He will turn failure to success.
3.5 A Prepared Potluck (John 21:9-14): "Come and dine." Christ's style of ministry is vastly different from ours. Peter had not been restored since denying Him, yet Christ begins with "come and dine"! They left their job He assigned to them and went back to fishing, yet He said, "Come and dine"!
Which of you having an errant child will perform a miracle for him/her; provide him/her with the very thing that has caused him to err before he finally corrects him/her? That is Christ’s style. Let us go to Him and learn from Him. Jesus will help you if you come to him. He will deliver you if you come to him. He will save you if you come to him! He will provide for your every need if you come to him. You can come to him now!

LIVING FAITHFUL IN A SINFUL WORLD

Daniel 1:1-21

Daniel chapter 1 serves as an introduction to the great epic about divine operations, intervention and ruling in the kingdoms of men seen in the twelve chapters of the book. The two most important figures in this chapter are Daniel and the King Nebuchadnezzar. The king’s name is a compound name: Nebu is the god Nebo; Chad means vessel and Nezzar means watcher. Nebuchadnezzar was a chosen watcher for the Kingdom of Babylon. It is interesting to note that in one of his dreams a holy watcher ordered a big tree representing Nebuchadnezzar and his kingdom, to be cut down (Dan.4:10-14). Have you sometimes felt like you have lost everything, like you have no hope, like you are at the mercy of other people? Well, the children of Israel felt much more than that. They felt that God had abandoned them. Their captivity was as a result of disobedience. But in their captivity God was still watching over them, bringing His purpose to pass in their lives.

A.     Difficult Trial (Dan.1:1-7; 1Peter 4:12-16; 1Pet.1:7; Mat.5:11; Hebrews 11:24-26)

New Home (Dan.1:1-2)

New Knowledge (Dan.1:3-4)

New Diet (Dan.1:1:5)

New Names (Dan.1:6-7)

Daniel and the entire children of Israel were in great difficulty and trial. They all had just been brought to Babylon, the Temple of Yahweh in Jerusalem had been destroyed, their King humiliated, his eyes were put out. He was chained and imprisoned to his dying day. That was a time of national and personal sorrow and shame. (Psalm 137:1-9) graphically describes how Israel felt on arrival in Babylon. Daniel and the other princes felt it no less. And here they were, brought to Nebuchadnezzar to be trained to wait on him.

They have a new home, a strange home, full of idols and idol worshippers. The food and drink assigned to them were contaminated by idolatry. Their names reflecting the faithfulness of God were changed to names of Babylonian idols. Their name change was humiliating: Daniel – God is my Judge changed to Belteshazzar – Bel protect his life. Hannaniah – Yahweh is gracious changed to Shedrach – command of Aku – the moon god. Mishael – who is like God changed to Meshach.  – Who is like Aku the moon god? Azariah – Yahweh has helped changed to Abednego – servant of Nebo. Regardless of this humiliation, God made it possible of these four princes to be protected. They were provided for and given the best possible education to become courtiers in the palace of Nebuchadnezzar. With this God was working His will in the idolatrous kingdom of Babylon (Rom.8:28). Christians should know that God is control in every situation, in time of prosperity and peace and when we are facing trial for the sake of Christ (Mat.5:11; 1Pet.4:12-16; 1Pet.4:19; Rev.2:10).

 

B.      Daring Test (Dan.1:8-16)

Daniel’s Purpose (Dan.1:8)

Function Of The Purpose

Fervency Of The Purpose

Faithfulness To  The Purpose

Favour In The Purpose

(Daniel 1:8) is the key verse for the whole book of Daniel. Like most Israelites, Daniel was full of regret and remorse for Israel’s loss – loss of freedom, home, Temple, Kingdom and everything that makes life comfortable. But unlike many, he was not deterred from his resolute dependence upon God. In fact, their situation may have propelled, and stirred up his faith in God. In the NT we can see Paul determined to preach Christ in a similar way (Acts 20:22-24).

What is the function of Daniel’s purpose? To prevent defilement with idols! Sin is a defiling agent. When a person sins they defile their body and their soul. When we listens to those who lie against the truth, we can be defiled. Daniel determined to stand for the truth and refused to be defiled. He evidently persuaded his three colleagues to join with him in that holy purpose. Throughout His life in Babylon, serving as many as four different Kings, he remained faithful to his vow.

Are you faithful to vow to Christ as a disciple, as a steward (1Cor.4:2; Exo.19:5; Deut.10:12-13; Luke 9:62)? God loves faithfulness and will reward it abundantly. Daniel and his friends were rewarded. They found great favour with God and with King Nebuchadnezzar.

Courtiers Response

Concern Of The Courtier – “I fear my Lord the King…”

Content Of The Comestible – pulse (peas, beans) and water!

Consent Of The Courtier – another sign of God’s providential favour.

Countenance Of The Chattels – “fairer and fatter…”

Divine Triumph (Dan.1:17-21)

Excelling Of The Princes

All the four princes excelled academically – they were “ten times” better that all the best in Babylon. Daniel was endowed with the gift of visions and dreams interpretation.

 

Elevation Of The Princes

All four friends Daniel Hannaniah, Mishael and Azariah were promoted and Daniel was put at the head of all the astrologers and magicians in Babylon. It is almost redundant to point out that Daniel and His friends were neither astrologers not magicians. Their lifestyle attested to this.

Establishing Of Prince Daniel(Dan.1:21)

It is also important to point out that Daniel was especially established. He was called a man greatly beloved (Dan.9:23; 10:11, 19). God loved Daniel so much that He could use him to change the laws of Persians and Medes in Babylon. Like Elijah he was passionate for God’s glory. Such people will always be beloved by God. David was passionate for God’s glory. He defeated the Giant goliath. When we become truly passionate for God’s glory, then He will use us to do signs and wonder in our own generation.

THE PRAYER THAT WORKS

Matthew 6:5–13

Recently we have been going through the Bible Studies on the Sermon on the Mount the most exciting sermon that Jesus preached. It has inspired many books. It has inspired many successful prayers. It has guided and is still guiding Christian living. Our concentration today is on the sixth chapter and the first 13 verses.

A. Publicity Praying (Matthew 6:5; Luke 18:9-14; Mat.23:13-28; Mark 12:39; Luke 20:46)

Publicity prayer is akin to almsgiving for publicity. It has the same problem as much religious service today.

The character of this style of praying. “When thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets” (Matthew 6:5; Luke 18:9-14). The significant characteristic of this style of praying is where it was done. It was done as publicly as possible. In the synagogues, the prayer would stand so as to be prominent. In society, the prayer would stop on the street corners where many people were and then do his praying there.

The cause for this style of praying. “That they may be seen of men” (Matthew 6:5). This is the same motivation that publicity in almsgiving had. The Pharisees of Christ’s time loved the externalities of religion. So they did their praying and almsgiving with as much publicity as possible—Christ severely condemns such pretentious behavior (Mat.23:13-28). It is not necessarily wrong to pray in public. The wrong which Christ condemns is the motive for praying in public, namely, to be seen of men.

The condemnation of this style of praying. “Thou shalt not be as the hypocrites” (Matthew 6:5). Publicity prayer is especially condemned by it being forbidden.

The consequences for this style of praying. “Verily I say unto you, They have their reward” (Matthew 6:5). This phrase “they have their reward” is a devastating statement. As we noted earlier in the almsgiving section, the phrase means that all the reward these pretentious prayers are going to get is the praise or honor men may give them for such praying. Therefore, they will not get much. They will get no heavenly reward, no lasting reward, no worthwhile reward.

B. Privacy Praying (Matthew 6:6; Psalm 139:1-4; John 17:1-26; Acts 4:31; 13:1-3)

The private praying advocated by Christ is good praying. It is just the opposite of publicity praying.

The requirements for private praying. “When thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret” (Matthew 6:6; Psalm 139:1-4). The requirements for private praying were privacy. This does not mean we are never to pray publicly. Other Scripture gives examples of public prayer that is acceptable (John 17:1-26; Acts4:31; 13:1-3). What Christ is speaking of here is instead of praying in public to be seen of men, we should pray in private where only God can see. A private place can be anywhere. Here is it called a “closet.” It may be your office or bedroom or a farmer’s barn—anywhere where a person can get alone with God. Shutting the door in our text says to make sure you can pray without being heard which a counter of praying to be heard is.

The rewards for private praying. “Thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly” (Matthew 6:6; 7:7-8). You do not need to be seen of men to gain a reward for your praying. Two things are said about this reward.

First, the source of the rewards. “Thy Father.” God sees all; and if you are praying properly, God will duly reward you.

Second, the site of the rewards. “Openly.” There is a day of public vindication coming for all those who are truly God’s people, He will reward all their prayer and all their effort. The site of the reward may heaven, but that is the greatest publicity of all.

C. Pagan Praying (Matthew 6:7, 8)

The second form of prayer which Christ condemns in this section of prayer in the Sermon on the Mount is the praying practice of pagans—many of these “pagans” are in churches in civilized countries.

The repetition in this style of praying. “When ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do” (Matthew 6:7). The particular problem sited in this style of praying was “vain repetitions.” This term “vain repetitions” does not mean we are not to prayer repeatedly for something. It means saying the same things over and over without meaning. And in order to keep track of the number of times they have repeated the prayer, they would use beads. Both Muslims and Hindus use beads to keep track of their prayers. In the Roman Catholic Church the beads are called rosary or chaplet.

The reason for this style of praying. “They think they shall be heard for their much speaking” (Matthew 6:7; 1Kings 18:26-29; Prov.10:19). The pagans think that such praying impresses God and will be more likely to be heard. The prophets of Baal did that for a whole day thinking that Baal would hear them if they repeated their prayers many times over.  We certainly do not talk that way to each other—if we did someone would soon wonder about our sanity.

      The rejection of this style of praying. “Be not ye therefore like unto them; for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him” (Matthew 6:8). Both bad forms of praying were rejected by Christ. The publicity form of praying was rejected by Christ. The rejection is twofold.

First, the command for the rejection. “Be not ye therefore like unto them.” (Eccl.5:2). This is a call to be different from the world in our praying. Christians should be different from the world. Yet, today it is hard to distinguish many professing saints, for they look so much like the world.

Second, the cause for the rejection. “Your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.” (Matthew 7:7; Mark 11:23-24; Jer.29:9-11; John 14:13-14)  Using vain repetitions does not help inform God of your needs. That God knows our need is not a reason for not praying (as some say) but a reason for confident praying. As we pray to God we show our faith and dependence on Him. Such praying must be real and genuine, not filled with such things as “vain repetitions.”

D. Perfect Praying (Matthew 6:9–13)

The fourth form of prayer, of which Christ speaks in this part about prayer in the Sermon on the Mount, is the second good example of prayer. It is the great model prayer. This is meant to be a pattern of perfect praying - “After this manner” (Matthew 6:9). In this prayer prototype, there are seven things we must cover:

 

 Relationship to God. “Our Father which art in heaven” (Matthew 6:9). God is our Father in Heaven.  

 He is the Person we pray to. It is God, not Mary or an angel. We pray to God in heaven. Second, the person praying must have a relationship with God or else he/she would have no right to say “Our Father” The person praying must be redeemed through faith in Christ (Rom.5:2).

 Reverence for God. “Hallowed be thy name” (Matthew 6:9; 1Chronicles16:8-9; Psalm 136:1-9)). This is a fitting first statement of our prayer each day of this month. The chief aim of every true believer is to honour God and glorify Him; to sanctify His name. How? Set apart God’s Name as holy, to be feared and revered. Our praying should be more than “give me” but should include a prominent desire for God to be honoured.

Reign of God. “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10; John 6:38; Luke 22:42). The Sovereignty of God and the submission of man are clearly seen here. If our prayer is to be effective and successful, we must submit to do God’s will as it is done in heaven. How is God’s will done in heaven? Swiftly, unquestioningly (John 6:38; Luke 22:42)!

      Replenishment from God. “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11; Gen.1:29; John 6:25-27; Mat.4:4; Phil.4:19). This is a petition for our earthly needs. It involves three things. First, favour. “Give.” The emphasis on God’s provision is on mercy not merit. Second, faith. “This day … daily.” This is looking to God everyday by faith. It is not for a year’s supply but for a day’s supply. That requires faith. Third, food. “Bread.”  When pray in faith our prayers will be answered.

Redemption by God. “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” (Matthew 6:12; Psalm 51:1-13; Isa.1:16-18; Dan.9:4-19)

 First, the importance – forgiveness of our sins is of primary importance. He that covereth his sin shall not prosper…. You will never obtain forgiveness of your sins from God unless you humble yourself, confess and forsake your sin. Then see the imperative in the petition. “As we forgive our debtors.” This is not works for salvation, but language to show the sincerity of our petition. We must come in true repentance. True repentance will not harbor un-forgiveness of others.

       Restraint from God. “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” (Matthew 6:13; Psalm 121:7-8; John 17:15). What is the expressed desire in this petition? “Lead us not into temptation.” This does not mean God will lead us to evil and the petition is a request for Him not to do that—rather it is a negative way of expressing one’s desire to walk a holy life.

There is also the deliverance. “Deliver us from evil.” God will deliver us from every evil work.

Respect for God. “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen” (Matthew 9:13). The prayer closes with great respect for God. The first petition was for the glory of God; the last words are acknowledgement of the glory of God. Cut the petitions if you have to but do not cut the praise part of your prayers. The praise here is excellent. It acknowledges The Sovereignty of God (“thine is the kingdom”), the power of God (“the power”), the magnificence of God (“the glory”), and the eternality of God (“forever”). There is a lot of good theology in this last part of the prayer. Our prayers should reflect good doctrine or they are not good prayers.^[1]

 

As we beseech God this month for help and intervention come believing that He will answer us.

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^[1] Butler, J. G. (2008). Analytical Bible Expositor: Matthew (pp. 95–100). Clinton, IA: LBC Publications.