SCRIPTURE: Luke 14
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
This reading makes me think of another saying of Jesus, For many are invited, but few are chosen. [Matthew 22:14] Jesus urges the Pharisees to show hospitality to “the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind”, and says in His parable that this is who God invites to His kingdom banquet. The invite goes out to many – the rich and the poor, the religious and the irreligious – and yet for some reason, it is often the rich and religious who reject it They are invited… but they are not chosen…
Unfortunately many christians read this word “chosen” in a predestination way, that God chooses some to be saved, and rejects others, without their choice. I know some verses in the bible speak about “predestination”, and “election”, but I think we take them too far. The reason the Pharisees, for example, do not accept Jesus is not because God predetermines this, but because they choose to reject grace and humility. They are responsible for their decision, not God. They prefer to be honoured than humbled, they’re more concerned about Sabbath observance than helping those in need.
God chooses the humble, meek, honest, sincere – not hypocrites, outwardly religious, self-centered. Many people (including Pharisees and prostitutes) are called, but only those who humble themselves are chosen. Again and again we see (and are warned) that people who are comfortable, successful, popular, rich, etc. tend to reject God’s grace (it’s hard for the rich to enter the kingdom). But “the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind”, those who know they need help, are the ones that line up to be with Jesus.
But receiving grace is not enough. Jesus turns to the crowds of needy people around Him and warns them of the cost of following Him. Jesus does not want crowds, He is raising and army of followers, people who will join Him in His mission to bless the world to draw them back to God. He wants followers who care more about people [if one of you has a son or an ox that falls into a well] than about religious observance [on the Sabbath day, Luke 14:5]. He wants followers who show kindness to the marginalized, not just to their own kind: But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. [Luke 14:13-14]
Many are invited to join with Jesus in His mission, but only those with humble, compassionate hearts can come. Here is the test: when is the last time we invited the marginalized to dinner?
PRAYER:
Lord, I may not understand the doctrine of “election” properly, but help me to understand Your challenge to invite the marginalized to dinner.
I agree. There are difficult passages in the bible that raise a host of questions about free will and determinism. But I don’t think that is the point of these passages; God’s choosing refers more to responsibility than to privilege. Its about what we are called to do, i.e. to bless the nations [Genesis 12:1-2].
re. selling everything, I think Jesus is using hyperbole to make a point, that we are to be wholly devoted to God and to others, especially those in need. Jesus calls for the rich young ruler to sell everything, but commends Zacchaeus who only offers up half of everything [Luke 19]. Its a heart change, from self-focused living to other-focused living. How can I use my time, talents and treasures to bless others (why we were chosen). Its not that we won’t have money, but that we will be more eager to use it to bless others than to build our own mansions and decorate them with all the latest stuff. We will own houses, but we will use them to bless the poor and needy. The people we invite into our homes will be the ones that Jesus talks about. Why? Because our hearts are gripped by love for God and love for people, and not for personal gain or comfort.
How quick are we to share, to be generous when we meet a need? How quick are we to respond to a wounded person we encounter through the day, like the good Samaritan (seeing them as an opportunity to bless, not an interruption to our own agenda)?
Having money is not the problem, nor is having a house. But how we view and use these gifts entrusted to us for a purpose. This is where election and blessing come together, and how Jesus wants us to use what we have in ways that will love and bless others.
I’ve often wondered about Predestination. Its a term that the CRC uses fairly regularly and I think we often miss the point of the word.
I feel very challenged every time I read a parable. They all seem to touch on the same point, sell everything and follow Me (Jesus). This is very hard to comprehend. I would love to just walk away from work and rely solely on God and his Faithfulness. I just can’t wrap my brain around the lack of money i would be making (getting). How will he provide for me? who will pay for the mortgage? What will my life look like without money?