Jesus’ Way of Hospitality

August 30, 2022

Jesus’ Way of Hospitality

By Brooke Holt

“He said also to the man who had invited him, ‘When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.’” Luke 14:12-14

Who is at the top of your list for dinner invitations or banquets? Your best friends, favorite family members, or people you would like to get to know? Jesus appreciates your list but then challenges you to broaden your thinking. In teaching about the kingdom of God, Jesus provides a different approach to issuing invitations. Instead of inviting our beloved friends and family members, Jesus instructs us to go out and look for the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind (verse 13). What in the world could he mean by this?

Jesus knows you. He understands you. Jesus knows you have a comfort zone and like to stay in that comfort zone. Jesus also knows many people in the world have never heard the good news about him, the kingdom of God, and the offer of salvation. The heart of Jesus is not for the healed and the whole people (though he loves them). The heart of Jesus breaks for those who have not heard and do not know who he is and what he can do for them.

Who will go out and tell these people? Let it be you! Jesus uses the parable of the Great Banquet to remind you his kingdom is vast. It includes many of your favorite people, but those are not all. In your comfortable world, you may never have to drive by that homeless man and offer him a drink and your snack, so Jesus would have you go out of your way. He would also have you talk to that coffee barista you see each day. How can you share the love of Jesus with him? He would have you invite the new person at work out to lunch or the one you see struggling.

There are many ways to go into the harvest fields and invite people to God’s great banquet hall. Remember, they may never enter the church door but will join you for coffee, lunch, or a small group study in your home. The challenge is to look outside your church and your everyday comfort zone to see who Jesus sees and invite those people to hear the good news of Jesus Christ.

There is not much glamour in ministering to the outcasts of this world. However, there will be great blessings in the kingdom of God. As Jesus promised, “you will be repaid at the resurrection” (verse 14).

Reflection:

Who does Jesus want you to invite to his banquet today? Spend time asking the Lord to open your eyes, ears, heart, and mind to recognize those who have not yet heard the Gospel. We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

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