This morning I felt led to read from Luke, chapter 14. I always enjoy my time in the Gospels for I get to know Jesus better through the accounts of His life and ministry. This morning is no exception. Here are the verses I am reflecting on - Luke 14:16-24 NIV:
[16] “Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. [17] At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’
[18] “But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’
[19] “Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’
[20] “Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’
[21] “The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’
[22] “ ‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’
[23] “Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full. [24] I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’ ”
On first reading, and in the context of the chapter, its clear Jesus is referring to the Jews as the ones who were first invited. It is a sad reality that many of the Jews of His day, and many today still today miss the fact that the Messiah came and offered redemption for all, forgiving our sins, breaking the power of the enemy, establishing a New Covenant and making a way for us to be fully restored to the relationship with the Father.
As I reflected more on these verses, I saw a theme that was more relatable for me, namely the warning of being too busy for the Lord! Each of the invited guests had seemingly legitimate excuses, but the Lord was not impressed. In my life I am often so tasks orientated that I don’t take time for the opportunity to represent the Lord right in front of me!
For example, about a month ago, I was driving a few hours back to an airport during one of my recent business trips and stopped at a McDonalds for a quick bite for dinner. As I was standing waiting for my order a young man came up and started talking to me. He was most likely a homeless person, wearing a dirty shirt, weathered face, but very conversational. We covered a wide range of topics quickly, just chit-chatting, and I noticed his shirt was actually a Christian shirt, with something about Jesus written on the front (Sorry I don’t remember exactly what it said). Finally someone came to the counter and the young man asked if he could have a glass of water, and upon receiving it went back to his seat and back to what He appeared to be reading. I got my order and headed to the car and started back on the road. I was thinking about my brief engagement with the young man, feeling good about my openness to talk to a homeless person and I felt the Lord say, “You could have bought him dinner and taken a little more time with him!”
I love how the Lord gently corrects me, for it is with the most gentle thought, and full of love, but pointing to a truth I needed to hear.
I do believe that I had a brief thought about doing that very thing (buying him a meal), but had quickly put it aside as it would be inconveniencing me, and would interrupt my plan for getting back to the airport in time.
When the Lord said that, I was so saddened that I had missed a beautiful opportunity to bless someone because I was too focused on my own task!
I see in this morning's reflection, the opportunity for me to work on changing my approach and attitude, as well as my mind-set. I am so often only thinking about myself and my task, that I am sure that I regularly miss opportunities to represent Jesus, all because I am too focused on busy on my own tasks. Being interruptible appears to be one of the requirements of followers of Jesus!
The second thing I need to do is get over my fear of man! I often times don’t say anything because I don’t want to interrupt people, or get into their personal space or situation. At least that is what I tell myself. In truth, I don’t want to have the other person get offended with me! I don’t like rejection and I would prefer to not engage than be rejected, so I just walk on by.
Oh Lord, help me to change the way I think, and act! Help me to see as You see, looking at those around me as ones You love! Help me to put aside my task to bless and help others. Help me to better represent You, for it seems to me that You always had time for the person You met!
Oh Lord help us all to embrace the opportunity to represent You to all we meet! Let us be interruptible!
Amen and Amen
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