Who do we Invite?

Jun 14 2024 - Eric Buresh

I was pierced while reading in Luke 14 this morning. I don’t have all the answers to this piercing yet, but rather invite you to meditate along with me. The question I’m asking myself is, as we fellowship among our Body at Grace, be it in groups, or huddles, or discipleship and prayer over coffee, who do we invite, and why?   

In versus 12-14 of Luke 14, our Lord Jesus presents to us a parable that drives a nail into the very marrow of our (or at least my) selfish inclinations and bids us to ascend to the higher calling of divine charity. Hear the words of Christ: 

“When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid.  But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind.  And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just.” 

For me, this parable strikes at the very root of earthly vanity and selfish desires. In our natural state, we seek the companionship of those who are most like us, who share our comforts and conveniences, because it is easiest. At some level, we are often hoping for a reciprocal gesture, a quid pro quo that binds us in the chains of worldly recompense. It is best, naturally speaking, if we can associate with those who can elevate our status, return our favors, and embellish our reputations. 

But Christ calls us to a higher law, a divine principle that transcends these natural inclinations. He calls us to extend our hand to the poor, the maimed, the lame, and the blind. Christ is talking in the spiritual sense, here, as well as the literal. These are the ones who need to eat spiritually and emotionally and cannot repay us, who have no means to return our favors, who reflect the brokenness of our human condition. 

Consider the heart of our Lord in this parable. When we invite those who cannot repay us, we imitate the very grace of God. For were we not spiritually poor, maimed, lame, and blind when Christ invited us to His table? Did we have anything to offer Him, any ability to repay His boundless grace? No, we brought nothing but sin and need. And yet, He loved us, invited us, and fed us everything we need for life and glory. 

Having been well fed, we now should do likewise. Let us break the bread of fellowship with those who are spiritually cast down and trodden upon by this world. Let us extend our tables to the destitute, not seeking any return but the joy of passing on our Savior’s love. For in such acts of divine charity, we lay up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. 

Remember the promise attached to this divine exhortation: "You will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just." The rewards of this natural world are fleeting and vain, but the recompense of God is eternal and sure. When we invite those who cannot repay, we engage in a holy transaction, the dividends of which will be paid in the currency of eternity. So, if you possess spiritual wealth, seek out those who are starving for the Bread of Life, invite them to your table, and feed them.