It is nice to be important but it is more important to be nice!

Luke 14:1 – 34

The Bible has many deep truths but it also as many truths that are just simple and right. The people who followed Jesus where a collection of all types and groups; Jews and non-Jews, management and labor, the wealthy, the middle-class, and the poor all had their place as Jesus disciples. Jesus reached across boundaries of finances, position, and religion. On the other hand we tend to get locked into being around one type of people. In this passage Jesus is trying to help us with a very practical example of how we can cross those boundaries.

A wealthy man is having a party so he naturally invites all of his wealthy friends, the people just like him. Every excuse his friends give is a “good” excuse but still an excuse. If it had been you or me we may have simply gone into a “funk” because our friends would not come to our party. Jesus wants us to see what is important, we need to break out of our mold some times and be open to touching the lives of others. The poor are important in the kingdom, but so are all the people we presently reach and those we do not. Jesus is stressing our need to love the way that He loves, all people even those with whom we are uncomfortable.

Who is the Lord using to stretch your life? Is someone stressing you perhaps the Lord has brought them into your life to help you become more of who you are called to be. God loves you, your friends, and your enemies. Embrace how the Lord is stretching your relationships today!