THE KITCHEN

How many times have you sung:  Zacchaeus was a wee little man, A wee little man was he.  Yup.  One of those songs we learn in our youth, but one that pops into our mind the minute we see that wee, little man’s name.  We know he was short and that he had the ability to climb a tree.  

Then, Jesus walked by.  You need to picture Jesus leading a large group of people.  They wanted to be close to Jesus.  They wanted to hear every word he said.  They were shocked when Jesus said he was going to go home with Zacchaeus.  Zacchaeus - THE CHIEF TAX COLLECTOR.  Zacchaeus - A SINNER.  Zacchaeus was excited about this, but what about those in the kitchen?

When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. 

All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭19‬:‭5‬-‭7‬

But what about those in the kitchen?  Were they excited about having unexpected quests?  Think about it.  How many times had they served guests?  No one would want to eat with a tax collector!  No one … except Jesus.  The kitchen staff looks to the head chef,  “What are we to do?  All we prepared for tonight was grilled cheese and potato chips.”  The head chef, took a deep breath, and walked to the pantry.  Opening the doors, the head chef realized there was only enough for their boss.  That cheapskate only gave them enough money for the bare minimum.  Now they were to prepare a meal for some guy named Jesus and his crew.   PREPARE A MEAL - WITH WHAT?  

But what about those in the kitchen?  Does anyone consider them?  Oh no!  They were expected to prepare a surprise meal.  Until now, they were invisible.  

But what about those —— the invisible people?  Can you see them?  Really see them?  Are you having trouble seeing them?  Let me help.

The shelves do not fill themselves.  Groceries do not magically travel from the back room to the front of the store.  Do you see the person putting soup on the shelf?  

Today’s dirt does not go away on its own.  Little shoes carry a lot of dirt into the school.  Lunch trays are dropped.  Do you see the person cleaning the school?

The tools do not stay on the tray.  The tools do not jump from the tray into the surgeon’s hand.  Do you see the person, hardly looking at the tray, hand one tool after another to the surgeon?

Blessings do not just lay around.  They are not hidden away at the back of the closet.  Do you see hope and forgiveness and grace and mercy and love .. a true, eternal love … being handed to you by the scarred hands of Jesus?  

Do not be an invisible Christian!  Be sure to keep your pantry filled with the words of the Bible.  Refill the shelves daily.  Glow with a light that all can see.  Use words and actions to show compassion.  Do not sneak in the church’s side door. Use the front door.  Enter with your head up and your eyes radiating the joy of fellowship.  Sing out!  Use your voice to sing to the heavens.  Use your ears and mind to hear and understand the worship message.  Use your prayers to give thanks.  

DO NOT BE AN INVISIBLE CHRISTIAN!!