Rejected but accepted (Luke 14:15-24)

Hearing this, a man sitting at the table with Jesus exclaimed, "What a privilege it would be to have a share in the Kingdom of God!"

Jesus replied with this illustration: "A man prepared a great feast and sent out many invitation.  When all was ready. he sent his servant around to notify the guests that it was time for them to come.  But they all began making excuses.  One said he had just bought a field and wanted to inspect it, so he asked to be excused.  Another said he just had bought five pair of oxen and wanted to try them out.  Another had just been married, so he said he couldn't come.

The servant returned and told his master what they had said.  His master was angry and said: 'Go quickly into the streets and alleys of the city and invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind.'  After the servant had done this , he reported, 'There is still room for more.'  So his master said, 'Go out into the country lanes and behind the hedges and urge anyone you find to come, so that the house  will be full.

For none of those invited first will get even the smallest taste of what I had prepared for them.'"

According to what I see in this passage which is one of my most favorite passage in the Bible.  This include all of the people who have been invited into the Kingdom at one time or another.  Now having been a cook to different age groups  and even adult male and female I have definitely seen a difference in attitudes when people are close to food.  Their whole demeanor change and they pay more attention to what they eat.  People change in the presence of food.

Here, we see different responses.  Those who are feeling 'deserving' feel that they have better thing to do than to go to the dinner while those 'who have been forgiven much' (Luke 7:47) will love much in return.  It seems there are two attitudes in the Kingdom of God...Those who feel they own it all and have to love little and those who have been forgiven much because of the shameful situations they have been through.  Those are poor, crippled and rejected by the majority as useless and then there is still a third group that has to searched for with a flashlight in every crook and cranny which are the country lanes and behind the hedges.  The hidden corners of society.  Those could be the beggar, the criminals and those clothed in rags you see every once in a while.  I watched a video of a 7 year old girl having dinner with her dad in a restaurant and then she saw a homeless person outside on a bench and gave him her meal.  Her father was praising her for doing it and I thought well done little girl and dad.  Those are the people that will fill the Kingdom of God.

Even though you are a 'reject' in society's eyes I want you to know God has a place of choice in his Kingdom.  He is calling you right now!  No more shame!

God bless you! Have a great day!