Because Of His Everlasting Kindness and Mercy, and Long-Suffering, Jesus Is Still Calling You Into His Fold Today! - Part 2770

Throughout the new testament gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, Jesus often speaks in parables, wherein He asks questions that force us to think outside of both current and historical societal norms. Interestingly, it is in this context that Jesus intentionally sets us apart from the world in our faith journey - so that we can increasingly become like that city on a hill for Him in everything that we do. 

In Luke 14, for example, Jesus is asking a number of questions to the lawyers and Pharisees, and when these could not respond, draws conclusions that should have changed their perspectives; transformed their minds and hearts. Indeed, toward the end of the chapter, Jesus says to them, "Salt is good: but if the salt have lost its savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; [but] men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear." (Luke 14:28-35)

But we are getting ahead of ourselves here. First, the context. Herein, Jesus has went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day, and when He did, the lawyers and Pharisees watched Him. And behold there was a certain man before Him which had the dropsy. So Jesus asks the lawyers and Pharisees, "Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day?" But they did not respond.

Not surprisingly, Jesus heals the man, saying to the Pharisees, "Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath day?" Note that they did not have an answer to these things. (Luke 14:1-6) 

Jesus does not stop there. He then asks about those who are bidden to a wedding feast -- eventually concluding that whosoever exalts himself shall be abased; and he that humbles himself shall be exalted. In this example, Jesus is offering an invitation that is outside the norm, and one that the Pharisees would not understand. That is, when ye make a dinner or supper, we are not to call upon our friends, or brethren, or kinsmen, or rich neighbour to attend -- because these all have the means to call you back and repay you for your kindness. To offer recompense for your kindness.

Instead,  Jesus is instructing those of us who believe in Him by faith, and have taken on His precious, holy Name in water baptism to be different. That when we make a feast, we should be calling the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind, and that, when we do, we shall be blessed. Let's read Jesus' instructions here again -- specifically from His Word.

Jesus said, "But when thou make a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind; and THOU SHALT BE BLESSED, for they cannot recompense thee; for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just." (Luke 14:14) 

How many are now turning the page? How many have said that these instructions are just for the lawyers and Pharisees? Or for that particular moment in time -- when Jesus walked this earth? 

What happens next? 

"And when one of them sat at meat with Him heard these things, he said unto them, "Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God." Then said He unto him, "A certain man made a great supper, and bade many; and sent His servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, "Come, for all things are now ready;."

And they all with one consent began to make excuses. One said, "I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused." And the second, "I have bought five yoke of oxen and I go to prove them, I pray thee have me excused." And another, "I married a wife, and therefore I cannot come." (Luke 14:18-20)

The servant comes back and shows his Lord these things -- the people's excuses for not being able to attend. [Please note that the reason that I capitalize the L in Lord is because Jesus is speaking from His own perspective here.]

What does the Master of the house do? He asks His servant to go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. And the servant said, "Lord, it is done as Thou commanded, and yet there is room." And the Lord said unto the servant, "Go out into the highways and hedges, and COMPEL them to come in, that My house may be filled. For I say unto you -- that none of those men which were bidden shall taste of My supper." (Luke 14:21-24)

Note what happens -- then drew unto Him all the publicans and sinners for to hear Him. All the while, the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, "This man receives sinners and eats with them." Jesus goes on to speak in numerous parables -- a good read -- about the parable of the lost sheep, the lost piece of silver, the lost son, and then the unrighteous steward. (Luke 14-15-16) 

Throughout the scriptures, we are encouraged to understand that no weapon formed against His anointed, His blessed body of Christ church -- can prosper. And that, also, this same Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us, and He will come again -- "and receive you unto Myself; that where I AM, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know." (John 14:3-4)

Don't ever lose that first love that we had for the Lord Jesus, when we first came to Him -- for He is still inviting those who are lost to come to His wedding feast -- even in the midst of such turmoil -- or as the world suggests -- living in unprecedented times -- but the Lord, well, He knows our hearts, and He is forever stretching out His hands so that we might find abundant life in Him. 

Stand in the offering plate.