Luke 14 Exploiting or inviting?

 

Luke 14– Exploiting or inviting?

 

When we eat together, it should be a time of loving fellowship and joyful gratitude to God; but the Pharisees turned tables into traps and exploited people. They used a man with a handicapping condition in trying to catch Jesus; they went to feasts only to receive honors; and they invited to their feasts only people who would return the favor. Hospitality is ministry only if our motive is to help others and glorify God. Jesus reinforced the definition of unconditional love; giving to people who have absolutely no ability to pay back what is owed (James 2:1).

 

Salvation is a feast, not a funeral; and God wants His house filled. As His servants, we have the privilege to tell the world, “Come, for all things are now ready!” Even if some reject the invitation, keep sharing it. Those who think they are the least worthy are the ones He wants to have at His feast. We should ask ourselves, “Am I the sort of person God will welcome into His kingdom?”

 

Is it easy to be part of the crowd and follow a popular Jesus, but that is not true discipleship. He calls you away from the crowd to take up your cross and follow Him. When it comes to winning the lost, God wants His house filled; but when it comes to discipleship, Christ thins out the ranks and wants only those who will die to self and live for Him.

 

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Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible.