Daily Reading: Luke 14
Scripture Focus: A man once gave a great banquet and invited many… ‘Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.’” (Luke 14.16, 21)
Devotional Thought: Invitation has fallen on hard times in the Church. It was never easy, but recent social shifts have caused us to buy in to the idea that religion is a private thing - not to be shared with those around us. Efforts at evangelism are seen as microaggressions. We have read the accounts of students who are forbidden to speak of spiritual things to their fellow students. Yet, we know that it is still easier being a Christian in America than it is in some areas of the world where persecution is often violent.
As he spoke of invitation, Jesus first insisted that we have proper motives. We should not invite our friends and families so that we get an invitation in return. Instead, we should invite people who are unable to return the favor, people who have nothing to offer but themselves. We tend to invite people who are like us, because that is the culture we move in. But, have you ever considered inviting the socially poor, crippled, blind and lame?
If we do not share the good news of Jesus, if we do not “let our lights shine”, then how will those in darkness know that God is inviting them to know him? How will our world know true peace if we do not introduce them to the Prince of Peace? As part of that, we need to invite – not coerce – those not like us to the kingdom!
Whom are you inviting to the kingdom?
Prayer: Open my eyes, O Lord, that I may see the fields are white unto harvest. Grant that I may have the courage and compassion to invite lost people to know you. Amen.
Psalm of the Day: 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! (Psalms 139:17-24)
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