Lame and Blind

~~~ Philippians 2: 1-4 ~~~ Psalm 131 ~~~ Luke 14:12-14 ~~~

 

Paul is imploring his listeners to be united in heart with him.

The emphasis of loving our neighbor is carried forward

from yesterday through Paul's letter.

He is writes about love, compassion, and mercy being extended to others.

He writes about putting yourself in a place of less importance.

 

"...humbly regard others as more important than yourselves,
each looking out not for his own interests,
but also everyone for those of others."

 

The way to achieve true peace is to place all in the Lord.

It is only in God can our heart be content.

It is only in God that our soul can be a rest.

 

In you, O Lord, I have found my peace.

 

Jesus, while dining in the home of one of the Pharisees,

 speaks of the banquet that he ultimately prepares.

The banquet that Jesus prepares for us can never be returned in kind

and certainly not matched.

 

"...when you hold a banquet,
invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind;
blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you.
For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."

 

Jesus is talking about us here.

We are the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind.

We only have ourselves to give back to God for all that he has done for us.

The banquet of the Lord is for the soul, not the body as are earthly banquets.

 

 

 

The only motivation God has for inviting us to his banquet is love.

Others may have hidden agendas behind their invitations,

but not the Lord.

Even though we cannot see clearly, God never has hidden agendas.

He always wants what is best for us.

He wants us seated with him at the banquet table.

He wants us to come, lame and blind as we are.

He wants us to experience his love so that we can pass it on to others.

 

To give freely with no expectation of return

is good for the heart and soul.

 

"...Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory..."

 

We must make the intention to act out of love and not selfishly.

A true gift is one that cannot be repaid.

A true giver expects nothing in return.

The day of Resurrection awaits each of us.