When you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. – Luke 14:13-14
In November 2016, a grandmother sent her grandson a text message inviting him for dinner on Thanksgiving. But there was a problem. Some years earlier, the grandson had given a false phone number to his grandmother. As a result, a stranger was invited to the family meal. The grandmother, quite shocked when someone else arrived, nevertheless greeted him and invited him to stay. They ended up forming a highly unlikely friendship that continues to this day. Moreover, that grandmother felt such joy in how things worked out, that she began inviting another stranger each year, and most of them came.
Inviting strangers in can be risky and, if you decide to do something like that, be sure your event is bathed in prayer. Still, reaching out to those who are not part of your inner circle is what Jesus has encouraged you to do. Giving to those who are unable to reciprocate can bring great and unexpected joy—and even long-term friendships.
There is a Great Banquet being prepared for you and for all who will RSVP to God’s invitation. It will be an amazing event when God’s plan for the salvation of humankind will be celebrated in relationship with His people, His children, and His Church. Sadly, there will be many who do not attend because they have not responded to the Father’s invitation to join Him through the finished work of Jesus Christ. Pray that, as this year ends and another comes, more will hear and respond affirmatively. “Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2b).
Today’s Verse: Luke 14:13-14
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.”
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Revelation 19:6-10
6 Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out,
“Hallelujah!
For the Lord our God
the Almighty reigns.
7 Let us rejoice and exult
and give him the glory,
for the marriage of the Lamb has come,
and his Bride has made herself ready;
8 it was granted her to clothe herself
with fine linen, bright and pure”—
for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.
9 And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.” 10 Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God.” For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
