“And He said ‘A certain man was giving a great supper and he invited many; and He sent his servant at supper time to say to those who were invited, ‘Come, for everything is ready now.’” (Luke 14:16-17)
In the name of Jesus. Amen. Jesus lived the perfect life before God that you could never live. God counted His life for your life, taking upon Himself all your sins. He suffered, He was beaten, He was bruised, and then He died. He did all of this for you, all by grace, all without any merit or worthiness in you. He did this for all, even those who refuse and reject Him.
It’s not as if there is something about you that is lovable – you know there isn’t. In fact, as a Lutheran, you know that He has saved you, despite you.
After Jesus rose, He made sure that message got to you. He put the love of God in Christ into your ears, splashed it upon you, put it your mouth at His Supper.
That Good News being put in your ears every week is a gift from God. You and I don’t deserve to hear it. We often despise it by making other things more important or withholding God’s love and forgiveness to our neighbor.
The invitation went out and was despised and rejected in today’s parable. Then others were invited: the poor, the maimed, the lame, and the blind. When that wasn’t enough to fill the banquet, people off the street were compelled to come. He wanted anyone there but the ones that had rejected His invitation.
Learn from this parable. There’s no guarantee that the Gospel will continue to be among us, even us Lutherans. Don’t despise His gifts. Don’t neglect remembering your Baptism. Let nothing get in the way of receiving His forgiveness in the Word, in Holy Absolution, and in His Supper. What a gift the Lord has given you being a Lutheran!
God has shown you His love, love which gave up His only-begotten Son on the Cross for you. So we also gladly give up our lives and do good to those given to us.
Have you ever thanked God that He made you a Lutheran? You should! What a wonderful gift the Lord has given you! In the name of Jesus. Amen.
Higher Things Reflections are written by Rev. George F. Borghardt III, Assistant Pastor at St. Mark Lutheran Church, Conroe, TX.