We’ve seen this week that Jesus has sent out an open invitation to his table. There is not a roped off VIP section in the kingdom of God! Today we’re going to look at one last passage that demonstrates God’s welcoming acceptance of all who respond to his call. This time we’re going to hear directly from Jesus about what his kingdom will be like.
Read
Luke 14:15-24(NIV)
12 Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
15 When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.”
16 Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. 17 At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’
18 “But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’
19 “Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’
20 “Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’
21 “The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’
22 “ ‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’
23 “Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full. 24 I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’ ”
In Jesus’ parable, who does the ruler invite to the banquet? Why do they decline? Who gets to dine at his table? Who do you think these groups represent?
Reflect
God is a generous host who has planned an amazing party for all who are willing to come!
Jesus had been traveling all around Galilee to summon people to God’s great dinner party. This was the moment that Israel had been waiting for. Their Messiah had come! But Jesus met with so much resistance, particularly from the religious elite. They were so fixated on the power and prestige they could gain in this world that they missed the arrival of their own Messiah.
Yet the poor and the disadvantaged came to Jesus in droves. These would be the people who responded to his invitation. Soon people of all nations, languages, and cultures would hear and respond to Christ’s call. The good news was not just for Israel. Yet, even though the early church would have many generous wealthy patrons, it was those who lived on the margins who were the most responsive.
As followers of Jesus, we are invited to join him as a host. But it’s not the people who can repay us that we should be inviting. We are to imitate his grace and mercy in extending invitations to those who would have nothing to give us in return. After all, we’re not giving to get, but we’re giving to imitate the heart of the one who gave us everything.
Respond
- What do you think of Jesus’ call to be generous to those who can’t repay you? How could you do this?
- Spend some time praising God for all he has given you. Rejoice in his loving embrace. Evaluate your priorities in light of this time with the Father.
