Think, Act, Be Day 55 – Luke 14:7-14
The humble, poor, and disabled can teach us so much about grace. Jesus calls us to sit in the cheap seats and to invite people to our parties with no ability to return the favor. Why? So we can learn what it’s like to simply enjoy the party with people who couldn’t earn or buy their way in. The kingdom of God is filled with people who enjoy being invited based solely on grace. And there’s nothing quite like a party with people clamoring to serve each other or with folks who’ve never had the privilege of such an honor. That’s just a taste of a heavenly banquet. In so doing, we learn to simply say, “Thanks.”
7 When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honor, he told them a parable. 8 “When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host; 9 and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, ‘Give this person your place,’ and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place. 10 But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher’; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. 11 For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
12 He said also to the one who had invited him, “When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. 13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. 14 And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
Luke 14:7-14