Beyond the Weekend

July 2 | Include People

July 2, 2019

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” Luke 14:13-14

Read: Luke 14:12-14

Listen: Luke 14

TODAY’S MESSAGE

While at dinner with the Pharisee, Jesus begins to talk about who should be on the guest list for a party or banquet. He says to invite the poor, crippled, lame and blind. Jesus wasn’t merely encouraging his listeners to be more charitable. Often a righteous, wealthy family would feed the poor using other means like handing out food at a back door or somewhere out of the way. It was possible to share food without sharing a life. Jesus doesn’t just want people to feed the poor, blind, crippled, and lame. He wants people to include them. Inviting someone to a banquet means much more than food—it means including them.

This passage challenges us too. Including people in our space means much more than providing food. It means bringing someone on the outside and helping them become part of the inside. This seems to be close to the heart of Christ because he says there will be a reward at the resurrection for those who do it.

As we think about how to include others, we should ask ourselves, “Who is God inviting us to include in our space?” It could be the family from out of town, the single parent, the widow, or the person we know isn’t included. With July 4th this week, we have a perfect opportunity to invite this person or family into our space. Maybe we invite them into our plans for a barbeque or to join us at the parade or fireworks. Wherever we meet them, this could be a great way to begin including them into our space.

IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY

Answer the question, “Who might not have plans for July 4th?” Spend a few minutes thinking about your different spheres of life and write in your journal a few names. Then write down some ways you can include one of these people in your plans. Take one step today to make that happen.


Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.

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