ODB: Guest List

January 25, 2013

READ: Luke 14:7-14 

When you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. And you will be blessed. —Luke 14:13-14

Qumran was a first-century Jewish community that had isolated itself from outside influences to prepare for the arrival of the Messiah. They took great care in devotional life, ceremonial washings, and strict adherence to rules of conduct. Surviving documents show that they would not allow the lame, the blind, or the crippled into their communities. This was based on their conviction that anyone with a physical “blemish” was ceremonially unclean. During their table fellowship, disabled people were never on their guest lists.

Ironically, at that same time the Messiah of Israel was at work in the cities and villages of Judea and Galilee. Jesus proclaimed His Father’s kingdom, brought teaching and comfort, and worked mighty miracles. Strikingly, He proclaimed: “When you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. And you will be blessed” (Luke 14:13-14).

The contrast between Jesus’ words and the guest list of the Qumran “spiritual elite” is instructive to us. Often we like to fellowship with people who look, think, and act like us. But our Lord exhorts us to be like Him and open our doors to everyone.

— Dennis Fisher

The gospel must be shared with all,
Not just with those like you and me;
For God embraces everyone
Who turns to Him to set them free. —Sper

The inclusive gospel cannot be shared by an exclusive people. —George Sweeting

Source: Our Daily Bread

4 replies
  1. Bren
    Bren says:

    Great teaching, a little bit of history showing the contrast of Christ and religion, bringing to light the the truth of how we need to be and not be. It certainly can be expanded even more!

  2. fakus tioluwani
    fakus tioluwani says:

    If it were just one man that remained on earth christ would still die on that cross…who therefore are we to then rate people wen material things or religious standards…strip a man of wealth or status what does he have left??SOULS ARE EQUAL BEFORE….love of Christ

    • tha H'Breed
      tha H'Breed says:

      Just got a Rhema this afternoon(1:00pm-3:16pm)that knowing our righteousness in God is all it takes to escape hell……one may then ask if escaping eternal condemnation is so cheap why are many still condemned
      Ans ……….UNBELIEF ON WHAT HAPPENED ON THE CROSS
      (Galatiaans 4:17)

  3. tha H'Breed
    tha H'Breed says:

    He has given an open invitatiion to us all it is left for us to decide if we want to be on that list by THE NATURE OF OUR GARMENT

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