PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Luke 14:7-14
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind!” (Luke 14:13)
Jesus followers are called to live a radically different way.
We are to focus on the weak and outcasts, on those who struggle.
We are to see them like God does, in need of mercy and grace.
And yet, lets be honest, is this who we normally invite?
What if we took these words literally as Jesus followers?
If we planned our weekly gatherings for people like this?
If our church gatherings were about blessing and serving them?
If we served them lunch, offered rides or helped with groceries?
This would be radical… it sounds like something Jesus would do!!!
“And you will be blessed…”; this is the way to be blessed!
Do we want to be followers that Jesus wants to use and bless?
The version of Christianity I was taught did not focus on this.
We were so focused on being right that we did not DO right.
How can I personally, and we as a church, become more like this!
PRAYER
Lord, this verse is challenging me to act more radically, less like the church and world, and more like you. This is the blessed life I want to live!
Honor, prestige, status — so important to so many and I dare say it often is for me as well. I’m trying hard to leave that behind and just do what is right and loving and fair: “For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” I also don’t humble myself because I might think that I will be exalted later – no that’s hypocritical too – rather in the sight of such a great salvation – my debt paid because of Jesus – I want to serve – and I know I’m not very good at all on my own. I’m humbled – I need Jesus to help me through the HS!
A servanr serves.
Jesus came to serve and I too need to serve.
As I live for Him I need to meet the needs of those who the Lord paces infront of me. I need to help them on their way to be an instrument of His peace. Others need to see Christ Jesus living in me and I need to be like Christ unto them.
Christian by name. Being an instrument of His peace.
That’s my daily challenge.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.