Sometimes Melanie and I get to eat with families at wedding rehearsal dinners or receptions. These are delightful times for us. Often, we enter and find that we have been designated to a certain table. Some tables are near the front, and others farther back. Honestly, we are just happy to be in the room.
Jesus attended many meals and even told stories about banquets. At one such gathering, he watched as others jockeyed for position to get the places of honor. Wisely, Jesus advised his hearers to choose humility and to wait for honor.
In the “social game” of life, we are tempted to use our interactions with others to move up or get ahead. Jesus urged his listeners to invite the people who might least expect to be invited. When we invite others who can never repay us, we are blessed. God is keeping track and he will repay his people at the resurrection.
Do you ever eat with others? How about outside your family? With whom? How often have you opened your home to others in this year that ends in one month? I only ask because the year is almost gone.
Some of my favorite memories through the years have been when we invited others over to our home to eat. We haven’t done it as often as I would have liked. But when others come to our home, we are always blessed more than we bless others. I remember having a physician friend and his wife in our home before they went to Nigeria on mission. We also invited church friends from Nigeria. It was a wonderful evening of fellowship.
After Easter this coming year, Tallowood will join a group of other churches in our area in intentionally inviting others into our homes to share life and grace. I hope you will participate with us. The hosts will be blessed even more than the guests!
