Invited to the great banquet!
Scripture reading for July17th: Luke 14, Psalm 141, Proverbs 17
Luke 14:12-15 “He said also to the man who had invited Him, “When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.” When one of those who reclined at table with Him heard these things, he said to Him, “Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God.””
Jesus was invited to dinner on the Sabbath by a ruler of the Pharisees. The Pharisees were in attendance because they were watching Jesus for evil purposes. Jesus mildly rebuked the man with a word of instruction about giving banquets. He told the man not to invite to his dinner those who could or would invite him back and repay him. That system of favors was the way the world worked, but God’s kingdom was different. He was instructed to invite the poor, the crippled and the lame and blind. Honoring those who could not repay him would bring eternal commendation and reward at the resurrection of the just. God’s kingdom comes easy to those humble enough to receive grace. Those Pharisees there with evil motives were invited to the Great banquet in heaven, but they would never taste of the Bread of heaven!
Psalm 141:1-2 “O Lord, I call upon You; hasten to me! Give ear to my voice when I call to You! Let my prayer be counted as incense before You, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice!”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for caring for the poor, the blind, the lame, and the hurting. Thank You for the gift of salvation for all those who humbly repent and call on You. Forgive me when I have mocked the poor and hurting rather than helping them. Fill me with compassion and love for those You invite to the Great Banquet honoring Your Son at the resurrection of the just!
Proverbs 17:5 “Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker; he who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.”
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