Devo Luke 14

Chapter 14
7When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he
told them this parable: 8”When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not
take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been
invited. 9If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this
man your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place.
10But 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 honored
in the presence of all your fellow guests. 11For everyone who exalts himself will
be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” 12Then Jesus said to
his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your
brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back
and so you will be repaid. 13But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the
crippled, the lame, the blind, 14and you will be blessed. Although they cannot
repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

Meditation:
1. At a banquet, Jesus commented on the behaviour of the guests, who competed
with each other for “places of honour”. The scrambling for position Jesus
observed reflected the heart attitude of the Pharisee’s guests. As Jesus pointed
out, it was also foolish, as it exposed a person to the danger of embarrassment
if asked to go down lower. Jesus also had advice for His host. Don’t use the
dinners for social advantage, or to seek a favour. God’s kingdom is open to
everyone, especially those that can never return the favour. God will repay
us in eternity.
2. How do things like customs and status get in the way of my loving others in
family, church, workplace, or community?
3. What does it mean today for me to throw a party for “the poor, the crippled,
the lame, and the blind”? Who would I invite? What would it be like?
4. Talk with Jesus about this idea and share the insights with a few close friends.
Make plans to do it.

Personal Notes:
At my wedding luncheon, everyone at Crossroad was asked to sit at the back and save the good seats for the other guests.  It was a good gesture and witness for the other guests and they are all being praised for their humility.  Eventually, they are asked to move to better seats.

Loving those who are being despised and outcast is challenging.  If one wants to reach out to the lonely, he/she may be put in risk for being despised and being made fun of.  It is normal custom to hang out with our own friends.  By obeying God's Words, we are to love and care for the "poor, crippled, lame, and the blind"

What does this mean to throw a party for the "poor, crippled, lame, and the blind"?  Those who do not know Jesus Christ are blind, crippled, and poor spiritually.  There are people who suffer because they do not know how to interact with others socially.  Crossroad is a party that happens every Friday night.  We are to include and invite those who feel lonely to join and participate.  In your own gatherings, try to include someone who does not have many friends to join.

Let's discuss this during small group meetings.