A sermon on Luke 14:7-14
By Fr. Mike Paraniuk
HCP columnist
A small plane was carrying only four passengers: a doctor, a lawyer, a minister and a Boy Scout. Suddenly one of the engines caught fire. The pilot informed the passengers the plane is going down.
He said, "There are only four parachutes for the five of us. I am important because I am the best pilot in our company.” He strapped on a parachute, opened the exit door and jumped out of the plane.
The doctor said, “I am important because I save more lives than any other doctor in our hospital.” He took a parachute and jumped out of the plane.
Next, the lawyer said, “I’m important because I am the smartest person alive. I’ve won more cases than any other lawyer." He strapped a pack on his back and jumped out of the plane.
The minister turned to the young boy and said, “Son, I’ve lived a long and happy life. I am ready to meet God. You take the last chute and I’ll go down with the plane.”
The Boy Scout replied, “That’s OK, pastor, there’s still two parachutes left, one for you and me. The smartest man in the world jumped out wearing my backpack.”
Did you ever notice in the Bible the religious leaders hosted a lot of banquets? It was their way to gain importance and respect in the community. The invited guests reclined on pillows around a "U" shaped table. The most important person was the host who sat in the middle. Those who sat closest to the host were more honored with respect than those who sat further way at the end of the U.
After the banquet ended, one of the esteemed guests would then invite the host to their house for a dinner party. The host must be invited to another's banquet or he would lose honor and respect of the others. The more banquets you attended the more respect you were given.
Jesus is saying if want God to respect you then care for the weak, the vulnerable and those who have no ability to repay you.
Jesus says, "For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." (Luke 14:14.)
God will honor those who care for the sick and the suffering - the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind". God will repay you with eternal life. “God will repay each person according to what they have done. To those who by persistence in doing good… he will give eternal life.” (Romans 2: 6-7.)
Listen to what God said in Psalm 91:15 “He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.”
This is why I am so humbled to minister at Children's Hospital. I see devoted parents and dedicated staff who give of themselves so completely to helpless children and the young without expecting anything back except to see the children in their care get well. In serving them, they serve Jesus. Jesus says in John 12:26, “Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.”
What respect God has for care givers. Jesus will seat you at a place of honor near Him in Heaven.
There is a story of a little boy who was sick. His mom bent down and gave him a kiss before going to sleep. The little boy said, "Oh mommy, don't kiss me I'm sick."
Mom replied, "I don't care. I'll kiss you every chance I get."
Jesus calls you to be His kisses. Blessings...Fr. Mike.