Five to ten times a year, I receive invitations to attend breakfasts, luncheons, and dinners, and to partner with various organizations. Some of these invitations spark no interest in me, while others are so compelling and close to my heart that I respond with an enthusiastic, “Yes!”
Jesus once used an illustration to talk about a dinner invitation that deserves a hearty “yes” from everyone. In Luke 14, a wealthy man sent out invitations to a dinner party he was hosting. To get a personal invitation during this age signified distinct honor. When the dinner was ready, he sent his servant out to notify all the guests (v.17). That’s when the unthinkable happened.
His guests showed no respect for His invitation by making excuses as to why they could not attend the dinner (vv.18-20). You would think the host would cancel the dinner, but he didn’t. He sent out more invitations (v.21). This time, he sent his servant to the streets and alleys of where the outcasts of Israelite society were found, and to the country lanes and behind the hedges where the Gentiles lived. In short, the servant was sent to persuasively invite the unwanted, the unfit, and the unworthy of society to the feast, until the tables were full of guests (v.23).
This brief but important story reveals a wonderful truth about God: He values all of humanity—particularly the less fortunate in our world. Moreover, this story reveals a truth about the gospel. The message of salvation is fundamentally an invitation to everyone, but it is especially good news to the less fortunate in our world.
How can we live this out? Our response should be to passionately, unconditionally, and extravagantly love everyone—especially the marginalized in our world. Let’s invite them all to the wonderful feast of God’s love.
More:
The Lord isn’t really being slow about His promise, as some people think. No, He is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent (2 Peter 3:9).
Next:
How have you been passionately inviting others to God’s table of forgiveness? Why is it important that “all” people are invited to come to the feast?
R R Kelkar on June 6, 2010 at 4:59 am
There is one particular aspect of church worship that bothers me. The celebration of the Lord’s supper, or holy communion, or mass, whatever name it is given, is often a restricted affair. There could be a point in the exclusion of non-Christians, but many times Christians of a different denomination are also specifically asked not to join. How can we talk of the “wonderful feast of God’s love”, when we are ourselves shutting the doors on others?
Unsure on June 6, 2010 at 6:38 pm
I too struggle with many of the “man made” restrictions and rules which come with organised religion and I grapple with some of the issues as you, R R Kellar have written. I often imagine God must be shaking his head in despair at some of our rules which we think are so important, when we have really missed the point he intends us to learn.
The “table” should be open to everyone who wants to partake and understands the undertaking. Shouldn’t we be sharing the joy like in the devotional “Guess Who Is Coming To Dinner?”