I recently went on an incredible vacation. The trip was generously bestowed to my wife and me, free of charge. We could scarcely have afforded it on our own and will certainly never be able to reimburse the person who gave it to us (nor are we expected to.) This reminded me of something Jesus said:
“When you put on a luncheon or a dinner, don’t invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbors. For they will repay you by inviting you back. Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. Then at the resurrection of the godly, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you.”
In addition to the application in the physical realm – like my recent vacation – there is a spiritual element here as well.
God leads by example. He has prepared many great banquets. At His banquets He serves hope for those with dark futures, peace for the troubled, love for loneliness, and eternal life for fallen beings. What’s more, He invites mankind to come to His banquets and enjoy everything He has to offer. We are the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind, who can never repay God.
Thank God for His humility, generosity, and grace, in that He invites us to His banquets. And above all, let’s be sure to attend.