Friday, November 9, 2018

An Extra Large Place

It is hard to imagine that God has trouble finding guests for His party but imagine if you rented an extra large hall because you wanted to bless a big group of people.. God's heart (kingdom) is very large... He Is Love... He wants to make many people into special guests.

"... Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper." - Luke 14:21b-24 KJV

A major theme in my life lately has been 'hospitality'. I want to grow in this area. I see Jesus with twelve men around him and a multitude that grew and shrunk at different times in His Earthly ministry. He was and Is hospitable.

In the world, people want to have celebrities at their parties. Those gatherings are not for needy people. They are for people who can afford to look their best. The camera may zoom in on the token few who are invited to represent a needy group. God's room could hold that whole group. It can hold whole countries and nationalities.

Jesus invites 'celebrities' also but earlier in the chapter we see that many of those people refuse to come. Still, God has a big room and He wants to fill it. The poor, maimed and halt are not only welcome God wants them there. He sends people out to get them and those folks have needs that might prevent them if they didn't have help and encouragement.

Seeing God's large dining room dazzles and convicts me to live a more expansive life and not just a one crafted around the comfort of a few loved ones.

"Lift up your eyes all around, and see; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from afar, and your daughters shall be carried on the hip. Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and exult, because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you. A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall bring good news, the praises of the LORD. All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered to you; the rams of Nebaioth shall minister to you; they shall come up with acceptance on my altar, and I will beautify my beautiful house. Who are these that fly like a cloud, and like doves to their windows? For the coastlands shall hope for me, the ships of Tarshish first, to bring your children from afar, their silver and gold with them, for the name of the LORD your God, and for the Holy One of Israel, because he has made you beautiful." - Isaiah 60:4-9 ESV

Are there extra chairs for guests in my heart? Perhaps that is a good investment.

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