Jesus dreams that every person will find a place at the table. He wants those who have power and who CAN take the seats of honor to learn to humility and to put others first. He invites leaders, like the Pharisee, not just to surround themselves with important people, but to use their wealth, influence and power for greater hospitality and generosity. Jesus also has a message for those on the fringe or margins, people who may think they deserve the LOWEST place at the table. He says to them, "You are a child of God and that is a privileged status."

Jesus blesses, heals and interacts with children. They are a part of his life and ministry. Of all the people that come to see Jesus, the poor, beggars, Gentiles, women, sinners, the sick and the rich young ruler at no point does Jesus chose one of them as sign of the Kingdom God. Instead, he chooses a child as a sign of Kingdom. It is like he is saying, “Look these little ones are important. In the Kingdom of God, they matter."

The most important thing to know about this passage is Paul is not introducing a new ordering of the households. Instead, Paul is offering commentary on an already existing household code. Paul is inserting Christians values into what the Colossians would have recognized as Greco-Roman “household codes.” Ultimately, no matter what your family structure looks, you can apply the Household Codes most faithfully not by using them to reinforce power structures and hierarchy, but instead by using them to break down barriers and create a family where all members are valued and treated with respect.

In our intimate and communal relationships God wants us to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility and justice.

Title: Casting Down Fire and other Unreasonable Things Text: Luke 9:51-62 There are moments in our lives when our deepest beliefs are called into question. When the Samaritans rejected Jesus, James and John wanted to call down fire and consume the village. Rage, shame, and fear can cause us to want to do unreasonable things, but Jesus models a different path.

It is difficult for Western Christians today to understand what the Bible means by demon possession. However, most of us have had the experience of powerful forces, sometimes inside us and sometimes outside of us, taking over. It could be a medical condition like depression or an addiction. Mark 5 reminds us that whether it is addictions or evil spirits or compulsions---- demons are not what Jesus wants for us. Because Every time Jesus encounters them, he tells them to get lost and he sends them packing.