JANUARY 25, 2013
Guest
List
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.
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 2012
