Let us not reject God's invitation

In Luke 14:15-24, Jesus gave a parable of a man who prepared a banquet and sent out many invitations. However, when the banquet was ready, the guests declined to come giving a variety of excuses. The man then sent his servants to bring in the poor and crippled to replace those he had originally invited.

The parable can be interpreted as a representation of the Jews (in particular, the Pharisees) and their rejection of Jesus as the Messiah. The Jews were the chosen people, the firstborn. They were the first ones invited to eat at God's table. However, they had declined that invitation when they disbelieved Jesus' claims and crucified Him on a cross. God then, through the missionary efforts of the likes of Paul, called upon the non-Jews or Gentiles to come instead and be the first at His table. This was something that was very counter-intuitive, even insulting, to the Jews. The Jews thought themselves superior to the Gentiles, whom they saw as spiritually poor and crippled.

Why did the Jews reject God's invitation?

In the parable, the first guest gave the excuse that he had to go inspect his field. The second guest said he had to see to his oxens which he just bought. The third guest did not want to leave his wife. These people were not willing to give up a little of their time, relationships, work etc. to go to the banquet. The rich food of the banquet could not compete with the good life they already had. In the same way, the Jews (Pharisees) were unwilling to give up their status and pride and submit to Jesus, a poor carpenter who did not appear very messianic or kingly at all.

On the other hand, in the parable, the ones who did eventually go to the banquet were the poor and crippled. For these people, the riches of the banquet far outweighed their own resources such that it was easy for them to choose the former.

For us today, let us recognize our poor and crippled state. Let us recognize the deep need in ourselves not just for Christ's salvation, but also for His presence in our day-to-day lives. Let not our own abilities, wealth and pride blind us to the riches that God offers that are far far greater than anything we can ever possess or achieve on our own.

Wait... wait... just wait

Luke 12: 35-48 teaches that our attitude towards Christ's second coming should be one of waiting and anticipation. Those who remain faithful will be rewarded (v. 38, 43), while those who choose to disobey will be punished (v. 45-46). For the disobedient, the passage further warns that there will be different levels of punishment depending on the perpetrator's degree of deliberateness in disobedience (v. 47-48).

There are many examples in the Bible we can look to to better understand what it means to have an attitude of waiting and anticipation.

First, is the case of Noah. Like now, during Noah's time, many had lost their way and no longer acknowledged God; and the earth had become corrupt and was filled with violence (Genesis 6:11). However, Noah remained faithful (in Genesis 6:9: "the only blameless person living on earth at the time, and he walked in close fellowship with God."). When God decided to destroy the world by flooding and gave instructions to Noah to build a boat, Noah did everything exactly as God had commanded him (Genesis 6:22).

Another example is the case of David. David was anointed as king of Israel by Samuel (1 Samuel 17:13) at a very young age when Saul was still king and not without an heir, Jonathan. At that time, there was no obvious prospect that David could ever inherit the kingdom. Even though David eventually married Saul's daughter, Michal (1 Samuel 18: 17), Saul became increasingly suspicious of David and tried many times to kill him. A large part of David's life before he finally became king was running away from Saul (1 Samuel 19-26).

In these two examples, Noah and David believed God's warning/promise of a future event. Despite their external circumstances, they remained firmly convicted that God would do as He said he would. Noah was the only one who believed God... but yet he still believed. How difficult it must have been for him to remain faithful when all others were mocking. David... he held on to God's promise of salvation even in the bleakest of times when he was hungry, tired, un-relentlessly pursued. How difficult it must have been for him to remain convinced of God's goodness and sovereignty that He would, could rescue him.

Like David and Noah, we must have faith that God will do exactly as He promised, and that is that Christ will return. There will be judgment (as God flooded the earth during Noah's time) as well as salvation (as God saved David from Saul). Whether we receive judgment or salvation then will depend on our actions today; for our actions are simply reflections of our faith.

Do not be afraid... but how?

Luke 12:29-33: "And don't be concerned about what to eat and what do drink. Don't worry about such things. These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need. So don't be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to those in need."

According to verses 31 and 32, the key to overcoming fear is God's kingdom. What then, is God's kingdom? In a typical kingdom, there is a king and there are many subjects. The king is sovereign and the subjects are in submission to him. God's kingdom, is therefore, a place, or situation, where God is sovereign and His people are in submission to Him.

However, unlike earthly kingdoms, in God's kingdom, His subjects are also his children (see verses 30 and 32) . This indicates the special position of Christians. When we choose to submit ourselves to God's sovereignty (authority), we receive also His adoption into His family. As our Father, the Bible says God already knows our needs. We need not worry for He will provide.

This naturally raises the question: what does it mean to submit ourselves to God's sovereignty? Verse 33 advises us to sell our possessions and give the proceeds to those in need. Money is always a big concern for many families. From the earthly viewpoint, it is only prudent financial management to hoard money rather than to give it away. But yet, Jesus taught the opposite. He taught that we should sell our possessions (give up our own interests) and give to those in need (put God's interests before our own). And this, I believe, is what it means to submit to God's sovereignty.

In short, Christians do not fear (or rather, should not fear) because we trust that when we submit to God (as King) and put His priorities first, He (as Father) will ensure our needs will be met.

God's heart

In Isaiah 65:1-3:

The LORD says,
"I was ready to respond, but no one asked for help.
I was ready to be found, but no one was looking for me.
I said, 'Here I am, here I am!'
to a nation that did not call on my name.
All day long I opened my arms to a rebellious people.
But they follow their own evil paths
and their own crooked schemes.
All day long they insult me to my face
by worshiping idols in their sacred gardens.
They burn incense on pagan altars."

And thus was God's heart for Israel. God was so ready to save them from their enemies but not even one called out to Him. God so wanted to reach out to His people, but they had forgotten Him and turned toward other gods. Let us not make the same mistake. Let us know God's heart for us. When in times of trouble, let us seek and call to Him.

Love God as David did

As so well described in 1 and 2 Samuel, David was a man after God's own heart. He loved God. But what constituted his love for God? What were the elements of that love? From the two books, we can see the major components were: trust, patience, obedience, repentance.

Trust- David had such trust for God. E.g. when hunted by Saul, David had so many opportunities to kill Saul on his own, but he didn't (1 Samuel 24, 1 Samuel 26). Instead he chose to trust that God would deliver him in His own time and way.

Patience- In 1 Samuel 16, Samuel anointed David as the future king of Israel. David was still a boy at that time. Even though David knew since young that he was to be the king, he was patient in waiting for his turn... for God to work. In no way, did he try to overthrow Saul or eliminate any of Saul's sons. Instead, he loyally served Saul (1 Samuel 18:5) and loved Jonathan as his own (1 Samuel 18:1-4, 1 Samuel 20:42).

Obedience and repentance- David made many mistakes in his life. Nonetheless, whenever confronted by God, he was always repentant... even in his later years when he was already king and powerful. E.g. when confronted by Nathan of his sin with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12:1-12), David confessed and was remorseful (2 Samuel 12: 13-17).

May I too love God as David did... like David, to trust and obey Him... and have patience to wait before Him.

Blessings because of Christ

"Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies." 2 Corinthians 4:10

"Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be evident in our dying bodies." 2 Corinthians 4:11

"So we live in the face of death, but this has resulted in eternal life for you." 2 Corinthians 4:12

"And as God's grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory. That is why we never give up." 2 Corinthians 4:15-16

For most the later part, Paul's life was marked by extreme persecution and suffering. For his work in preaching Christ, he was imprisoned and beaten countless times... shipwrecked... falsely accused.... From the verses above, it is clear that the primary motivation behind Paul's willingness to suffer so terribly for Christ was so that God may be glorified. This was his ultimate objective. Paul was also willing to suffer for the sake of the masses, so that they would hear the Good News and receive God's salvation.

In my current situation, I find my circumstances to be the exact opposite of Paul's. Unlike Paul, who suffered for Christ, I find that on the contrary, I have so much and am so blessed because of Christ.

My favorite person is me

In 1 Corinthians, Paul encouraged the Corinthians to immitate his selfless attitude. He urged: "So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Don't give offense to Jews or Gentiles or the church of God. I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don't do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved."

And so was Paul's selfless heart. My heart, on the other hand, is quite selfish. Aaahh... perhaps the following reflects the conflict between what's real and what's ideal.

My favorite person is me.
But Paul says... NO, that should not be.
But why no?? Why not?? I love ME!
No, no.. Paul says, self last, others first.
Follow my ways, you must, you must.
Oh, alright... if you insist, I cannot resist.
But tell me, tell me...
How do I stop loving me?
Not just in small things,
but in ALL things,
think of others before me?
It's hard, it's hard... yes, it is.
But if Paul can do it, maybe,
oh, just maybe,
there is hope even for the sinner...
that is me.