Luke 14:15-24
Let’s continue to remember to pray for Jim and Marty – Debbie and Julie also!
“Notice what you notice.” I’m sure that when most of us read these words that Jesus speaks, we expect that He is speaking to the lawyers and Pharisees without naming them by name. That is, in today’s Parable of the Great Banquet, we imagine that those who were initially invited to the Banquet were the Jewish leaders. But each of them had an excuse for not coming to the Banquet – that is, for not listening to Jesus’ words and following Him. We saw a similar outcome yesterday, when the Pharisees were choosing the places of honor and Jesus chastised them for seeking honor and not being humble.
But I’m sure that many of us also look to ourselves and our own behaviors and attitudes when we read Jesus’ words. I mentioned yesterday my own problem of “self-seeking”. Today I have to ask myself whether I am making excuses for my behavior in my relationship with our Lord. Or better put, what excuses AM I making? …in my prayer life? (I’m too easily distracted.) …in my personal evangelism? (I’m nervous about sharing my faith.) …in my ministry? (I’m just too busy to take on that chore.) …in my use of my personal resources? (I’m saving for retirement; I don’t want to be a burden to my kids.) What could (or should) I be doing differently in all these activities? Jesus’ words force us to do some serious soul-searching. But as my dear wife is prone to say, “It’s a good thing.” Glory!
Slava Bohu!