Daily Worship

Travelling the Way . . . Towards Jerusalem

Jock Stein February 18, 2016 0 0

Luke 14.7-14

7 When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honour at the table, he told them this parable: 8 ‘When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honour, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. 9 If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, “Give this person your seat.” Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. 10 But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, “Friend, move up to a better place.” Then you will be honoured in the presence of all the other guests. 11 For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.’

12 Then Jesus said to his host, ‘When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbours; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.’

Think

When you throw a party, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind . . .

Pray

Lord, help me this day to notice what is really happening, so see through what is false, to see past what is superficial, to see beyond what is vanishing, that I may think and speak and act like Jesus, the one who took notice of human hearts and motives, the one who took notice of the poor and needy and lifted them high in God’s pecking order.

Challenge your people this Lent to high holiness, great generosity, and quiet questioning of all our human conceits. We shall trust you alone, God, to repay us in the way you choose, when you sort out all things in the end. For the now, we shall enjoy the companionship of your people as we eat with humble and happy hearts in our homes and in our churches.