The Dinner Feast

One of those with Jesus at the table said to him, "Blessed is the one who will dine in the Kingdom of God." He replied to him, "A man gave a great dinner to which he invited many." When the time for dinner came, he dispatched his servant to those invited, 'Come, everything is now ready.' But one by one, they all began to excuse themselves. The first said to him, ' I have purchased a field and must go and examine it; I ask you consider me excused.' I have just married a woman, and therefore I cannot come.' The servant went and reported this to his master. Then the master of the house in rage commanded his servant, 'Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring here the poor and the crippled, the blind and the lame.' The servant reported, 'Sir, your orders have been carried out and still there is room.' The master then ordered the servant, 'Go out to the highways and the hedgerows and make people come in that my house may be filled, For, I tell you, none of those men who were invited will taste my dinner,'"

Consideration: There will be many invited to enjoy the dinner feast in the Kingdom of God. Many though, will refuse the invitation and continue on in their worldly ways. But the Master will fill the tables with those who have overcome the world and its many difficulties; now they will enjoy the eternal reward for the obedience and loyalty that they endured for the Master. Amen.   

Resurrection of the Righteous

On the sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees. He said to the host that invited him, "When you hold a lunch or dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or sisters or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors, in case they might invite you back and you have repayment. Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."

Consideration: Jesus gives us an example of how we are to be considerate and generous to others. We must give from the heart to all people and not to expect payment or anything else for sharing our blessings with others. Amen. 

Love and Humility

Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, "The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on the people's shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation 'Rabbi.' As for you, do not be called 'Rabbi.' You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. Do not be called 'Master'; you have but one master, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."

Consideration: This passage is just as relevant today as it was when Jesus spoke it over two thousand years ago. Leaders of the church are called to love their flock and to sacrifice for them. The greatest honor that can be bestowed upon them is to be loved and cherished by the people of God. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."

Places of Honor

On the sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people were observing him carefully. "He told a parable to those who had been invited, noticing how they were choosing places of honor at table. "When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not recline at table in places of honor. A more distinguished guest may have been invited by him, and the host that invited both of you may approach you and say, 'Give your place to this man,' and then you would proceed with embarrassment to take the lowest place. Rather, when you are invited, go take the lowest place so that when the host comes to you, he may say, 'My friend, move up to the higher position.' Then you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

Consideration: Praise be the wisdom of our Lord, Jesus. He is telling us to remain humble; never to place ourselves above others. We must not allow our human instincts to lead us to irrational decisions. Let our humility be a witness of the character within. The Lord who sees all things will one day reward us for our humility and goodness. Amen.

Healing on the Sabbath

On the sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people were observing him carefully. In front of him there was a man suffering from dropsy. Jesus spoke to the scholars of the law and Pharisees in reply, asking, "is it lawful to cure on the sabbath or not?" But they kept silent; so he took the man and, after he had healed him, dismissed him. Then he said to them, "Who among you, if your son or ox falls into a cistern, would not immediately pull him out on the sabbath day?" But they were unable to answer his question. 

Consideration: The Pharisees were looking for a way to put Jesus to the test. Maybe it was just a coincidence that the suffering man was directly in front of Jesus. They knew that Jesus would heal him on the sabbath, and he did. Jesus knowing this, quickly put them to the test by asking a question that could have an effect their lives as well. But the hypocrites were unable to answer his question. Amen.

Tell that Fox

Some Pharisees came to Jesus and said, "Go away, leave this area because Herod wants to kill you." He replied, "Go and tell that fox, 'Behold, I cast out demons and perform healings today and tomorrow, and on the third day I accomplish my purpose. Yet I must continue on my way today, tomorrow, and on the following day, for it is impossible that a prophet should die outside of Jerusalem.' "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and kill those sent to you, how many times I yearned to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were unwilling! Behold, your house will be abandoned. But I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord."

Consideration: Herod wanted to kill Jesus. The Pharisees came to warn him, and he commanded them to go and tell the fox, Herod, the words he spoke to them. His words were prophetic, especially these words: "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord." Amen!

The Narrow Gate

Jesus passed through towns and villages, teaching as we went and making his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, "Lord, will only a few people be saved?" He answered them, "Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough. After the master of the house has arisen and unlocked the door; then will you stand outside knocking and saying, 'Lord, open the door for us.' He will say to you in reply, 'I do not know where you are from.' And you will say, 'We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.' Then he will say to you, 'I do not know where you are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!' And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God and you yourselves cast out. And people will come from the east and west and from the north and south and will recline at table in the Kingdom of God. For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last."

Consideration: Jesus said, "Strive to enter through the narrow gate." And, "For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last." 

Do we have the strength and courage to persevere through the narrow gate? We must live life as a prayer to our Father, who sees and knows all. And if we do, He who has arisen and unlocked the door, will be there to welcome us home. Amen.