SCRIPTURE: Luke 13:28-30
There is room for everyone at God’s table.
But God won’t let people with bad table manners disrupt His grace feast.
The Jews wanted to sit at the table, but wouldn’t allow anyone else to join them.
Jesus warns that hate for others would hinder their place at God’s table.
God’s table is a feast of justice, love, honesty, integrity and generosity.
Those who inflict or ignore injustice will not sit at the table of justice.
Those who promote or participate in hate will not sit at the table of love.
Those who lie and cheat will not sit at the table of honesty and integrity.
Those who horde and steal will not sit at the table of generosity.
Jesus came to save us from sinful, selfish living – both from it’s penalty and from it’s power.
We are not saved by being good, but we are saved for being good.
We have been given everything we need for life and godliness, through the Spirit.
If we refuse to give up bad table manners, we show that we do not want to be saved.
People from all over the world will figure this out, and will join Jesus at the grace feast.
But how many religious people (Jews or Christians or other) will not?
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, You want everyone to sit at Your table. But You also want everyone to love others around the table. Help us to practice our table manners now, so that we’re ready to sit at Your table forever!
Observation/Application
Tables turned.
Those religious leaders who were a big show in Christ’s times are not a part of the kingdom. Self-righteousness and hypocrisy are not keys to the kingdom. One must live love and be dressed in the fruit of the Spirit. One must live Christ. Those who are right in their own eyes are not right. Those who place themselves before others, who do not live the JOY principle are not part of the kingdom.
Once again we are reminded of the narrow gate. We must live in His Way each day doing what He wants to be done – living for Jesus. Being clothed in the Spirit. Doing what Jesus would do.
Living for Jesus, a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.
Refrain
O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me.
I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne.
My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.
Living for Jesus Who died in my place,
Bearing on Calvary my sin and disgrace;
Such love constrains me to answer His call,
Follow His leading and give Him my all.
Refrain
Living for Jesus, wherever I am,
Doing each duty in His holy Name;
Willing to suffer affliction and loss,
Deeming each trial a part of my cross.
Refrain
Living for Jesus through earth’s little while,
My dearest treasure, the light of His smile;
Seeking the lost ones He died to redeem,
Bringing the weary to find rest in Him.