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Thursday, August 22, 2009
Then He turned to the host. “The next time you put on a dinner, don’t just invite your friends and family and rich neighbors, the kind of people who will return the favor. Invite some people who never get invited out, the misfits from the wrong side of the tracks. You’ll be—and experience—a blessing. They won’t be able to return the favor, but the favor will be returned—oh, how it will be returned!—at the resurrection of God’s people.” That triggered a response from one of the guests: “How fortunate the one who gets to eat dinner in God’s kingdom!” Jesus followed up. “Yes. For there was once a man who threw a great dinner party and invited many. When it was time for dinner, he sent out his servant to the invited guests, saying, ‘Come on in; the food’s on the table.’ “Then they all began to beg off, one after another making excuses. The first said, ‘I bought a piece of property and need to look it over. Send my regrets.’ “Another said, ‘I just bought five teams of oxen, and I really need to check them out. Send my regrets.’ “And yet another said, ‘I just got married and I need to get home to my wife.’ “The servant went back and told the master what had happened. He was outraged and told the servant, ‘Quickly, get out into the city streets and alleys. Collect all who look like they need a square meal, all the misfits and homeless and wretched you can lay your hands on, and bring them here.’ “The servant reported back, ‘Master, I did what you commanded— and there’s still room.’ “The master said, ‘Then go to the country roads. Whoever you find, drag them in. I want my house full! Let me tell you, not one of those originally invited is going to get so much as a bite at my dinner party.’”
[Luke 14:12-24 - The Message Bible]
“MyFace”
Good Morning Beloved,
Oh… there is so much we can learn about the mind and character of Jesus in this passage. We see his heart for all people. The rich, the poor and everybody in between. We find Jesus dining with a group of very influential people — leaders among the Pharisees. They were fascinated by Him, and afraid of Him at the same time. He seemed to ‘pop’ out of Nazareth with all of this wisdom and authority. Nazareth was frowned upon…
And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see. [John 1:46]
Jesus — fully God and fully Man. He knew who He was, and what He had come to earth to do. Jesus, was comfortable in the most palatial surroundings, and the most humble of dwellings. From His standpoint as God, they were all on equal footing. Compared to the splendor of Heaven, earths’ wealthiest are mere paupers. His parable of ‘The Dinner Invitation‘ parallels Heaven’s open invitation for the children of man to become citizens of the Kingdom of God. At this very moment, In Heaven’s eyes, the table is still not full. Jesus was the golden invitation sent over 2000 years ago. The bible tells us,
… this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness to all nations; and then shall the end come. [Matthew 24:14]
The sign that we are still here, means that the invitation is still open. “The harvest is truly plentious, but the laborers are few”. We are living in an age of communication unprecedented in the history of humanity. A time of instant messaging, email, Twitter, Facebook, Myspace, The Faith Spot, Generation J, You Tube, God Tube (now called “Tangle”) etc. etc. etc. Some many ways to keep in touch, or reach out and touch somebody . So many ways to evangelize, uplift and encourage people. I heard a lady talking about ‘MyFace’ once and I found that so funny. Someone said, “you mean Myspace?” I thought, “wow, I’m surprised someone hasn’t thought of that one”. Hey, not a bad idea ~
If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek MY FACE, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. [2 Chronicles 7:14]
… and that Beloved is Good News!
U Blessed
Have A Fabulous Day
Regina
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