Good day dear friends. I spoke with Bill Barber and Madeline West, and both are doing well, thanks to God. Both are in good spirits. Madeline will visit a specialist to see how her wrist is healing and see what else is needed. She suffered a fall in her home.
We continue to study those who wish to see Jesus and here is our study guide for today:
Tuesday: Read Luke 14:15-24. Here is a parable from Jesus about the Great Banquet. What is this story saying to us about the Good News today? What are you doing to help spread the invitation to others who might want to come and be blessed by Jesus? How do you interpret the excuses people give for not coming to this banquet?
Here is that passage from Luke 14:15 One of the dinner guests, on hearing this, said to him, "Blessed is anyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!" 16 Then Jesus said to him, "Someone gave a great dinner and invited many. 17 At the time for the dinner he sent his slave to say to those who had been invited, "Come; for everything is ready now.' 18 But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, "I have bought a piece of land, and I must go out and see it; please accept my regrets.' 19 Another said, "I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out; please accept my regrets.' 20 Another said, "I have just been married, and therefore I cannot come.' 21 So the slave returned and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and said to his slave, "Go out at once into the streets and lanes of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.' 22 And the slave said, "Sir, what you ordered has been done, and there is still room.' 23 Then the master said to the slave, "Go out into the roads and lanes, and compel people to come in, so that my house may be filled. 24 For I tell you, none of those who were invited will taste my dinner.' "
A great banquet is given in your honor and you refuse to attend. You have your reasons for missing out on fine food, fine fellowship, and fine instruction. But are these reasons or excuses worth missing this? Jesus is comparing what God offers to us with a great banquet and so many will be missing out because they had their reasons: I bought some property and must go and see it (that's clever planning, buying some property without having first seen it!). I bought some farm equipment and must see how it performs is the second.(The dealer didn't let you try it out on his lot?) The third says, "I'm on my honeymoon and can't make it." (You know how it is, newlyweds don't need to eat!). And they all missed out! Who then, got invited? Those on the streets and lanes of the town; the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame. All these accepted and there was still room! The master then said, go and get people to come in so that "my house may be filled."
Are you doing your part to be present at every celebration of the Lord? Are you doing your part in "compelling" others to come and join you in these celebrations? If you're not present, you're missing out and if you're not inviting, you and too many others, are missing out as well. Do your part!
PRAYER: Loving God of the great banquet, let me do my part. I can't do it alone, share with me all that I need to be an effective servant. I ask it in Christ Jesus' name. Amen.
Have a great and blessed day!
e.v.
