Outsiders and insiders: Ever feel like an outsider? Not a nice feeling to be pushed out or kept out of somewhere you want to be. If you can relate to that, then you are well set to understand one of Jesus’ parables of judgment on those who make people outsiders. This is not only personally relevant but has big implications for the church in our day. The biggest question facing the church in the post modern world is the question of inclusion and exclusion—who is in God’s kingdom and who is outside. Today I’m not going to tell you what to believe, but help you figure out how to think biblically on an issue like this.

The parable for today which concludes our series on Outrageous Grace is from Matthew 22:1-14 known as the parable of the Wedding Banquet. My title is “Count Yourself In!” (Mike Nichols)

Linda Del Fabro-Smith speaks to us about the Parable of the Temple Tax.

MATTHEW 17:24-27 24When they arrived at Capernaum, the tax men came to Peter and asked, “Does your teacher pay taxes?”
25Peter said, “Of course.”
But as soon as they were in the house, Jesus confronted him. “Simon, what do you think? When a king levies taxes, who pays—his children or his subjects?”
26-27He answered, “His subjects.”
Jesus said, “Then the children get off free, right? But so we don’t upset them needlessly, go down to the lake, cast a hook, and pull in the first fish that bites. Open its mouth and you’ll find a coin. Take it and give it to the tax men. It will be enough for both of us.”

When we read the Bible it’s best to read a full chapter as a whole – rather than pulling out one verse or section to study. By reading the chapter as a whole we can see repeated concepts and themes which lead us to the main truths of the passage. Matthew 20 is a look at the hierarchy of God’s Kingdom. Matthew 20 contains a parable about workers in a vineyard (and their desire for fair hierarchy), prediction of Jesus’ crucifixion, a mother’s fight for her two sons to get some glory, and the fight of two blind men seeking sight. The repeated refrain of THE FIRST SHALL BE LAST is explicitly stated and highlighted in parable and interaction with the disciples. What does this mean? Why does God think the first shall be last and the last first is a good idea?

(Robbie & Jenn Ohlhauser)

The parable of the tenants is a wonderful example of what happens when Jesus encounters the religious leaders of his day. They have already questioned Jesus’ authority, and in this parable it’s his turn to question their use of authority and power. At the end of the parable, Jesus talks about the Kingdom of God being taken away from these leaders. He wraps it up by talking about the choice between being ‘broken’ or being ‘crushed’. Yet, in the midst of his judgment (and theirs) there is a message of grace.

What does it mean to be a good tenant, and what makes a bad one?

The parable of the Good Samaritan is one of those jewels in the Bible that has all the features of a satisfying B movie. It’s got a victim, some villains, a crime, some more villains, a hero and a happy ending. But who would think that such a simple tale would shake the cultural status quo to its bones when Jesus told it to a young Pharisee? That this story of kindness shown by a stranger would be so controversial – then and now?

Today we’ll examine how the parable expresses something profound and outrageous about the Kingdom of God and how we are invited to participate in loving without limits.