The Invitation

Have you ever experienced a divine interruption? 

“Jesus replied: ‘A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’” (Luke 14:16-17)

God invites us to a great celebration called the wedding supper of the Lamb. He prepares a feast and provides the way for each of us to be considered worthy to attend. But in Jesus’ story in Luke 14, when the time for the banquet came those invited made excuses:
·    I just bought a field and must go and see it (14:18)
·    I just bought five yoke of oxen and I’m on my way to try them out (14:19)
·    I just got married, so I can’t come (14:20)

When it comes to the reasons we give for not answering God’s call, our excuses don’t sound that much different. I need to work late. The kids play soccer at that time. I’m taking a vacation. Our self-importance and busyness keeps us from seeing our need. Do we think there will always be time to respond?

Jesus continues His story in Luke 14:21, “The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’”

The hunger of the poor made them quick to accept the invitation to the banquet. The crippled, the blind and the lame weren’t too busy to attend. Maybe God considers the poor blessed because they know they need Him. To them, nothing is more important than responding to His call.

Do you know that you need Jesus? Are you hungry? Will you make seeking Him your first priority? There’s a place at the banquet for you.

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for inviting me to Your banquet. Help me to hunger for truth and seek You first of all. Amen.

Questions: Why is it important to respond when God calls us? How do you keep from being too busy to seek God?

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4 Responses to “The Invitation”

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• Doris says:

  April 17, 2012 at 9:31 am

  What a great endorsement for our Daily Devotionals Rosanne! Thanks!

  And Greg, I totally agree…what an incredible banquet that is going to be!
• Greg says:

  April 11, 2012 at 11:26 am

  So thankful that I have been invited to an awesome banquet. What a great blessing!!!!
• Brenda Miller says:

  April 11, 2012 at 9:27 am

  Rosanne, what you say is so true! It is because of the Lord that we are fortunate in any and all areas of our lives, and I just love Suzanne’s question, “Do we think there will always be time to respond?” It is so convicting and such a necessary point for us all to think about and then respond.
• Rosanne says:

  April 11, 2012 at 7:44 am

  This is the exact reason I decided to register for these daily devotionals. I have a very full-time job and I do have other obligations that keep me very busy, however, I always want to keep the Lord close and I don’t want to fall into “busyness” and forget my first priority. He has healed me physically, mentally, and spiritually and He has provided me the strength to overcome many, many obstacles in my life.

  When I completed an Master of Theological Studies, I was Vice-President of the Graduate Student Council and we asked the President of the University what would be one piece of advice he could give us for our futures, and he said “daily devotions.” He said that we need to spend time with the Lord every day. Everyone is busy but it is because of the Lord that we are fortunate to be busy.