Sharing Kingdom Love: Luke 14:12-15
“12) And He also went on to say to the one who had invited Him, “When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, otherwise they may also invite you in return and that will be your repayment. 13) But when you give a reception, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14) and you will be blessed, since they do not have the means to repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” 15) When one of those who were reclining at the table with Him heard this, he said to Him, “Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!” Luke 14:12-15
We think in terms of balancing the ledger. It’s the idea of “I’ll pay the dinner bill this time, you can pay next time.”
But Jesus had a radically different plan. He said we should buy dinner for those who could never pay us back. Give a reception for the poor, handicapped, lame and blind. Invite the disadvantaged.
Two things happen with this plan. First, it opens a door of influence on a whole new group of people. They will be very open to both your compassion and what you have to share.
Second, you will be blessed in tangible ways. God favors those who provide for orphans, widows, the poor and disadvantaged. God will be caring for them through you.
Upon hearing this, one of the quests was moved by what Jesus shared. He replied by saying, “Blessed is everyone who eats bread in the kingdom of God.”
Bread is hardly a banquet, but being included in the kingdom of God is an honor beyond words. Spreading kingdom love and compassion is not as difficult as we make it.
There is some debate at this point if the kingdom of God is something we are waiting for or something we help create with our deeds of kindness. I believe in a literal coming kingdom, I also believe we are sent with a kingdom mission in this world.
When God’s people put Agape love in action, it is a foretaste of the coming kingdom. We are called to do more than preach the gospel, we are called to live the gospel!
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
“12) And He also went on to say to the one who had invited Him, “When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, otherwise they may also invite you in return and that will be your repayment. 13) But when you give a reception, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14) and you will be blessed, since they do not have the means to repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” 15) When one of those who were reclining at the table with Him heard this, he said to Him, “Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!” Luke 14:12-15
We think in terms of balancing the ledger. It’s the idea of “I’ll pay the dinner bill this time, you can pay next time.”
But Jesus had a radically different plan. He said we should buy dinner for those who could never pay us back. Give a reception for the poor, handicapped, lame and blind. Invite the disadvantaged.
Two things happen with this plan. First, it opens a door of influence on a whole new group of people. They will be very open to both your compassion and what you have to share.
Second, you will be blessed in tangible ways. God favors those who provide for orphans, widows, the poor and disadvantaged. God will be caring for them through you.
Upon hearing this, one of the quests was moved by what Jesus shared. He replied by saying, “Blessed is everyone who eats bread in the kingdom of God.”
Bread is hardly a banquet, but being included in the kingdom of God is an honor beyond words. Spreading kingdom love and compassion is not as difficult as we make it.
There is some debate at this point if the kingdom of God is something we are waiting for or something we help create with our deeds of kindness. I believe in a literal coming kingdom, I also believe we are sent with a kingdom mission in this world.
When God’s people put Agape love in action, it is a foretaste of the coming kingdom. We are called to do more than preach the gospel, we are called to live the gospel!
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
