Legacy, Not Popularity

"To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: 'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.' For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.' The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and "sinners."' But wisdom is proved right by her actions." (Matthew 11:16-19) 
 
It’s comforting to remember that Jesus was accused of being a glutton and a drunkard. First, because He clearly taught His followers, including us, to appreciate and enjoy all of God’s good gifts. Second, because He was a true friend to gluttons, drunkards, tax collectors and sinners—people like us—in need of rescue and redemption. Third, because His love for the unlovely and desire to redeem the undesirable was misunderstood, resulting in false accusations, just as the love and grace we extend is likely to be. “But wisdom is proved right by her actions.”  The sinners Jesus redeemed became God’s servants, spreading His redemption throughout the world, while the self-righteous hypocrites were defeated and destroyed. The people we love and lavish grace upon in His name likewise will be our lasting legacy.

“Heavenly Father, move us to respond to Jesus’ redemption by loving the unlovely, giving grace to the ungracious, and enjoying Your lavish gifts with enthusiasm all our lives, in Jesus’ name, amen.”
 
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RAISING THE BAR
 A man walks into a bar and orders a Manhattan.
When the drink comes, he notices a piece of parsley floating in it. 
He asks, "What in the world is this?" The bartender says, "Central Park."
 
A German walks into a bar and orders a martini. The bartender asks, “Dry?”
The German says, “Nein, just one for now.”
 
Julius Caesar walks into a bar and says "I'll have a martinus."
Puzzled, the bartender asks, "Do you mean a 'martini'?"
Caesar says, "Look. If I wanted a double, I'd have asked for it!"
 
A Korean, a Chinese, a Japanese, a Vietnamese, a Korean, a Burmese, a Mongolian,
a Cambodian, a Filipino, a Malaysian, and a Singaporean walk into an upscale bar.
The bartender says “I’m sorry, but I can’t let you come in without a Thai.”
 
A man walks into a bar and finds his wife, an English major, with another man.
He says, "Susan, I'm surprised." She says, "No. I am surprised. You are astonished."
 
English teachers from the past, present, and future walk into a bar. It is a tense situation.
 
The bartender says, “We don’t serve time travelers in here.” A time traveler walks into a bar.
 
A talking dog walks into a bar and says, “I’m looking for the man who shot my paw.”
 
A talking pony walks into a bar and says "Bartender, may I have a drink?"
Bartender says "What? I can't hear you. Speak up!"
The pony says, "I'm sorry, I'm just a little hoarse."
 
A Chihuahua and a Doberman are in a bar having a drink.
A great-looking female Collie comes up to them and says,
"Whoever can say ‘liver and cheese” in a sentence can have me."
The Doberman responds enthusiastically, "I love liver and cheese!"
The Chihuahua says, "Liver alone . . . cheese mine."
 
A Lutheran pastor walks into a bar humming a Lenten hymn.
The bartender says, “Hey! Didn’t you see the sign? No minors!”
 
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 The LORD grant you grace wherever you walk this week!
​In Jesus, Pastor Kirk