From Intercessor to Inviter

Daily Reading:  Luke 14

Scripture Focus: And the master said to the servant, "Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled." (Luke 14.23)

Devotional Thought:  In Luke 14, Jesus moves us from intercessors (see parable of the fig tree, Luke 13) to inviters.

The master had prepared a great banquet for his honored guests, but they all refused to come.  Undeterred, the master then went to "tier 2" guests.  I noticed several things in these verses:

·       The master ordered his servant.  We are under orders from the Master to bring in the guests… 

·       We are to go out quickly.  The work of inviting people to the kingdom is not to be delayed.

·       The streets and alleys of the town… the roads and country lanes became the “target audience” for the inviters.  This implies both thoroughness and inclusiveness. 

·       There is still room.  There is always room for souls at the table of the Lord!

·       The master desires that his house will be full.  As long as there is room – which is always – then God wants us to bring in more people.

·       We are to compel people to come in.  How are we to do that?  Through love, mercy, forgiveness, compassion, holiness, consistency, persistence, and prayer.  And, we must never forget that we are to invite them.  They won’t know when and where to come if we don’t invite them!

·       Finally, the master told the servant to bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.  Jesus didn’t go to the wealthy and powerful, to the educated and elite.  Jesus went to the outcast, to the sinner, to the unloved. 

 Have you moved from intercessor to inviter?

Prayer: "Lord lay some soul upon my heart and love that soul through me.  And may I always do my part to win that soul for thee."  Amen.  (Leon Tucker)

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 139.17-24

17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!

18 If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you.

19 Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God! O men of blood, depart from me!

20 They speak against you with malicious intent; your enemies take your name in vain.

21 Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord? And do I not loathe those who rise up against you?

22 I hate them with complete hatred; I count them my enemies.

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!

24 And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!