are you trying to sell me something?

16-17Jesus followed up. "Yes. For there was once a man who threw a great dinner party and invited many. When it was time for dinner, he sent out his servant to the invited guests, saying, 'Come on in; the food's on the table.'
18"Then they all began to beg off, one after another making excuses. The first said, 'I bought a piece of property and need to look it over. Send my regrets.'
19"Another said, 'I just bought five teams of oxen, and I really need to check them out. Send my regrets.'
20"And yet another said, 'I just got married and need to get home to my wife.'
21"The servant went back and told the master what had happened. He was outraged and told the servant, 'Quickly, get out into the city streets and alleys. Collect all who look like they need a square meal, all the misfits and homeless and wretched you can lay your hands on, and bring them here.'
22"The servant reported back, 'Master, I did what you commanded— and there's still room.'
23-24"The master said, 'Then go to the country roads. Whoever you find, drag them in. I want my house full! Let me tell you, not one of those originally invited is going to get so much as a bite at my dinner party.'"
Luke 14:16-24 (The Message)

This parable came to life tonight! Tonight at BSM we hosted the monthly "No Barriers Dinner," which is basically a FREE dinner party for the city!  We had live music, GREAT food cooked by our resident chef, and full service from volunteers and staff.  The point is to experience a meal shared by people from ALL walks of life.

So how did we work this out?  Like the end of this parable, about 5 of us literally walked the streets of center city during rush hour today to invite people to our feast, our banquet!  What we hoped was for everyone to be like Elf in the clip above (at 0:14).  However, as we all know how humanity operates, it was not that easy.

You all know the drill: you see someone handing something out so you plot your course to avoid them at all costs.  It was interesting to be on the other end of things this time.  So who was the hardest sell?  Can you guess?  The people who avoided us the most was none other than the white, older, business suit, men.  I imagine you could have guessed that.  It was a little more surprising in the moment...how many of them wouldn't even make eye contact with us when we spoke up to invite them to a FREE dinner party.  Beyond this, it was actually a lot of fun inviting everyone else to our party.  For the most part: young and old, male and female, homeless and not homeless were very receptive and grateful to the idea.  I'm not sure how many actually came, but at the end of our flyering trip, it felt like the experience itself made enough of an impact on us and hopefully them.

The dinner party itself was great, mostly a larger version of our usual sunday and wednesday night meals.  There was a very rich diversity of people, all mixed up where they were sitting.  People that usually avoided one another on the street were actually talking!  What a beautiful parable moment this was!

I strongly urge this idea be tried by churches, particularly ones where homeless and hungry can easily walk to.  Try to have fellowship with a group that is less homogenous.  It's a beautiful foretaste and realization of the kingdom!