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Day 184

Luke 14 : 12-24 "WHEN YOU GIVE A DINNER..." Luke 14:12"

Day 184 – Luke 14

Text: Luke 14 : 12-24

“WHEN YOU GIVE A DINNER…” Luke 14:12

As Jesus gave His advice on the matter of how one ought to approach a dinner invitation, He must have startled many. However, He wasn’t through yet! His next set of advice must have been even more astonishing!

Jesus challenged the conventional idea of hosting dinner functions. The normal understanding of hosting a dinner would be to invite “friends, brothers, relatives and rich neighbours”. If one invited such a group of people to attend a dinner function, then automatically, the invitation to a similar function would be extended! Thus the cycle of social functions was established!

“DO NOT INVITE YOUR FRIENDS…” Luke 14:12

Jesus went on to suggest something that perhaps nobody ever practised! The very idea was to say the least, revolutionary! Let us consider what Jesus suggested,

“When you give a dinner or supper,
do not ask your friends, your brothers,
your relatives, nor rich neighbours,
lest they also invite you back,
and you be repaid.”
Luke 14:12

What Jesus suggested was most unconventional! We need to study carefully what Jesus said and meant!

1. He was not against all social functions! We must not think that Jesus was “anti-social” when He gave this word of advice.

2. The whirlwind of an active social life would consume much time, energy, effort, and expense. Who would benefit from maintaining normal conventional practices? Only the circle of friends, brothers, relatives and rich neighbours would benefit! Were the good things of life meant only to be enjoyed by the privileged few?

3. Jesus challenged those who could afford to give dinner functions to look beyond normal social practices!

“WHEN YOU GIVE A FEAST, INVITE THE POOR, THE MAIMED, THE LAME, THE BLIND…” Luke 14:13

Those who were wealthy knew how to appreciate the finer things of life. They knew how to dress for special occasions. They knew how to enjoy good food and they were experienced at interacting with each other socially.

Jesus was conscious of the fact that when He was invited for special occasions, there were many outside who could do nothing but look on at those who sat at the dinner table. What were the chances of their ever receiving an invitation to attend such functions? The answer was obvious! They could never look forward to receiving a dinner invitation!

The poor, the maimed, the lame and the blind belonged to a class of society that numbered by the thousands! They would never know what it means to enjoy a happy dinner occasion – unless they were specially invited by someone kind enough to give them “a feast”!

“AND YOU WILL BE BLESSED, BECAUSE THEY CANNOT REPAY YOU…” Luke 14:14

What was the thrust of the suggestion Jesus put forward to His host? If the Pharisee were to take up the suggestion made, he would truly “be blessed”. The people invited to a dinner or a supper would regard the repast provided “a feast”.

Of course, the poor, the lame and the blind would NEVER be able to host a similar function in reciprocation! But therein lay the challenge of the practice of this revolutionary idea! The host will be truly blessed!

“YOU SHALL BE REPAID AT THE RESURRECTION OF THE JUST” Luke 14:14

Jesus sought to heighten consciousness of the fact that one day all would have to account for their life spent on earth! One day, there will come “the resurrection of the just”. At this resurrection of the just, all the deeds of life will be measured by God! Those who took the time and trouble to care for the poor, the lame and the blind would be repaid by God!

AN OLD LAW THAT EMPHASIZED CONCERN FOR THE POOR

How easy it is to forget that there are many who are poor, lame and blind! It was all too easy to become desensitized to people with searing needs. Let’s take a look at an old Mosaic Law that emphasized the need to look after the less privileged.

“You shall rejoice in every good thing
which the Lord your God has given to you
and your house…
When you have finished laying aside all the tithe
Of your increase in the third year- the year of tithing –
And have given it to the Levite, the stranger,
The fatherless, and the widow,
So that they may eat within your gates and be filled…
I have obeyed the voice of the Lord my God,
And have done according to all that You
Have commanded me.
Look down from Your holy habitation, from heaven,
And bless Your people…”
Deuteronomy 26:11-15

The Mosaic Law actually taught the people to lay aside a tithe to be given to the poor and the under-privileged! Few really care for the poor and the underprivileged – in the days of Jesus and also in our days! Let us deepen our concern and care for the poor!