Continue with Invations to a Meal-Whom Will God Invite?

Then Jesus states another lesson for the Pharisee who invited him-how  to provide a dinner that has real merit with God.  "When you spread a dinner or an evening meal, do not call your friends or your brothers or your relatives or your rich neighbors. Otherwise, they might also invite you in return, and it would be a repayment to you. But when you spread a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; and you will be happy, because they have nothing with which to repay you" - LUKE 14:12-24.

It is natural to invite friends, relatives, or neighbors to a  meal, and Jesus is not saying that this is wrong.  He stresses, however,  that providing a meal for the needy, such as the poor, crippled, or blind, can bring a rich blessing. Jesus explains to his host:  "You will be repaid in the resurrection of  the righteous ones."   A fellow guest concurs, saying:  "Happy is the one who dines in the Kingdom of God."(Luke 14:15)  He sees what  a privilege this would be.  However, not all have such appreciation, as Jesus goes on to illustrate: 

" A man was spreading a grand evening meal, and he invited many. He sent his slave out . . . to say, to the invited ones, "Come, because everything is now ready.' But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, 'I bought a field and need to go out and see it; I ask you, have me excused.'  And another said, 'I bought five yoke of cattle and am going to examine them; I ask you have me excused.'  Still another said, ' I just got married, and for this reason I cannot come." - LUKE 14:16-20.

Those are weak excuses! A man normally examines a field  or livestock before the purchase, so it is  not urgent to look at them afterward.  The third man is not preparing to marry. He is already married, so that should not prevent him from accepting an important invitation. On hearing these excuses, the master angrily tells his slave: 

Next time: Conclusion of Invitations to a Meal -Whom Will God Invite

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