Jesus and the great invitation
Pray
Begin with prayer, opening your heart to His Word and Spirit.
Read Luke 14:16-24
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.’”
Reflect
Jesus is eating at the home of a prominent Pharisee on the Sabbath, and is being closely watched by all who are there. Using parables, Jesus has challenged many of their firmly held beliefs and customs, including healing on the Sabbath, their self-importance and their attitude toward the poor. Thinking he is going to impress Jesus, a guest declares, “Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the Kingdom of God”. Jesus responds with the story of the invitation to the great banquet. It is clear from what he says that, unlike the table at this banquet, the table in the Kingdom will be filled with the poor, crippled, blind and lame – those who, in humility, respond to the great invitation.
Closing prayer
Father, we give you thanks that your invitation is open to all who will believe and trust in Jesus. Help us to be part of your Kingdom work here on earth. Amen