Daily Devotional - Hospitality: Greeted, Seated, Treated - WK15 - 4/9/25 - Day 99 - "Open Invitation"

Author: Evangelist Jamie Hoffman

“Open Invitation”
Scripture: Luke 14:12-14, NIV
 
“Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

Devotion:
If you are like me, then you enjoy good food, fellowship, and wholesome fun with family and friends. Growing up, when we had our large family reunions or get-togethers, there would always be someone new to meet there because my family believed in including people who didn’t have family or the resources we had. In today’s lesson, Jesus is letting His host know that it’s a blessing to look out for those who are less fortunate.

When my children were young, they loved going to the movies, so my husband and I took them often to see the latest cartoons or action films as soon as they came out. One was called Robots. In the film, a young robot boy from a poor family had a gift for building and fixing things. He used that gift to help fix broken robots, even though he put his own life in danger by helping them. His motto was, “see a need fill a need.” As Christians, that should be our motto as well. Jesus lived out this example for us to follow in how He treated the poor, the least, and the lost. He didn't just pass them over selfishly. He healed, delivered, and set them free by showing them love in action. We have that same charge when it comes to others. When we see a need, we can fill it by showing God’s love in action.

Prayer:
Lord, help us think of others before we think of ourselves. Help us be a blessing to the less fortunate and those who are in need. Amen.