Thought from today’s Bible reading from Luke 14-15.
“When one of those who were reclining at the table with Him heard this, he said to Him, ‘Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!’” (Luke 14:15).
Jesus had just given instructions regarding wedding feasts and other social meals – when invited, exercise humility; when inviting, exercise compassion. This prompted someone to make this statement about the kingdom of God. It certainly is true that it is a great blessing to be part of God’s kingdom. But as Jesus pointed out in the following parable, many will choose the things of this life over the things of the kingdom.
“But He said to him, ‘A man was giving a big dinner, and he invited many; and at the dinner hour he sent his slave to say to those who had been invited, “Come; for everything is ready now.” But they all alike began to make excuses. The first one said to him, “I have bought a piece of land and I need to go out and look at it; please consider me excused.” Another one said, “I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out; please consider me excused.” Another one said, “I have married a wife, and for that reason I cannot come” And the slave came back and reported this to his master. Then the head of the household became angry and said to his slave, “Go out at once into the streets and lanes of the city and bring in here the poor and crippled and blind and lame”‘” (Luke 14:16-21).
Jesus’ point is that many will choose the things of this life over the things of God. None of the excuses that were given were inherently wrong. The problem was that they placed them higher on their list of priorities than the kingdom. Yet if we are going to please the Lord, we must “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33).
If we value the kingdom of God, let us not make excuses for our failure to obey Him and labor in His kingdom. Instead, let us do what we are capable of doing in service to God.
Tomorrow’s reading: Luke 16:1-17:10
[I’m using the Chronological reading plan on the Bible Gateway website if you’d like to follow along, too.]
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