2. Psalm 23:1-2 (NRSV)
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters;

3. Psalm 23:3 (NRSV)
he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths     for his name’s sake.

4. Psalm 23:4 (NRSV)
Even though I walk through the darkest valley,     I fear no evil; for you are with me;     your rod and your staff—     they comfort me.

5. Psalm 23:5a (NRSV)
You prepare a table before me     in the presence of my enemies;

6. Prepare a table
The shared meal is a show of wealth and hospitality.
Preparing the feast was a woman’s job.

7. John 13:1 (NLT)
Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end.

8. John 13:2-3 (NLT)
It was time for supper, and the devil had already prompted Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God.

9. John 13:4-5 (NLT)
So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.

10. I don’t deserve the feast.

11. The presence of my enemies
My enemies despise me for sitting at God’s table.

12. Matthew 18:1 (NLT)
About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?”

13. Matthew 18:2-3 (NLT)
Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven.

14. Matthew 18:4 (NLT)
So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.

15. Matthew 18:5-6 (NLT)
“And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me. But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea.

16. Matthew 18:10 (NLT)
“Beware that you don’t look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels are always in the presence of my heavenly Father.

18. Luke 15:20-21 (NLT)
“So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.

19. Luke 15:22 (NLT)
“But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet.

20. Luke 15:23-24 (NLT)
And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.

21. A banquet in the presence of the son’s enemies.

22. “He demonstrates costly love to me regardless of who is watching
“He demonstrates costly love to me regardless of who is watching. People hostile to me will observe what he is doing and he knows that their hostility against me will be extended to him as a result. He doesn’t care. He offers the love anyway.”    --Kenneth E. Bailey

23. The Mission has a Church

24. Challenge:
1. This week, listen to how often you speak to issues (politics, world, church, etc.)
2. Make a list of people you love who make it hard to have an opinion on a particular issue.
3. If your list is empty, you know what your homework is.