One Year Bible - January 18

1/18/2021
Post Written by
Lily Jow | S'il Vous Plait (r.s.v.p.)

Scriptures to read:
Luke 14:1-24; Genesis 25; Psalm 18

We start our devotional today with Luke 14:1-24, where Jesus speaks about feasts and banquets! I know that Christmas & New Year’s celebrations looked very different for us due to the pandemic! Oh how we long to be invited again to each other’s homes to share a feast around the table! I would imagine that when it is safe to gather again, we will be thrilled to receive an invitation in the mail and rsvp with much enthusiasm!

I want us to focus our attention to the Parable of the Great Banquet found in Luke 14:16-17, “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’”

Imagine, a full and lavish banquet meal is all set, name cards on the plates, lights dimmed for the perfect ambience, and candles lit across the table. Instead of eager guests, verse 18a says “But they all began to make excuses…” The list of excuses were not because guests fell ill; one had bought a field, another 5 oxen, and another just got married. They rejected the invitation to tend to their own matters. The parable goes on to describe that this master became angry and ordered the servant to fill the house with the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.

I am struck by the “excuses” that the invitees gave. None of them were bad or sinful. In fact, I would think to have the financial means to make land or animal purchases, or to get married, described great success for an individual. I believe this parable describes how our Heavenly Father sets up a banquet and invites each one of us to enjoy what He has prepared for us. Instead of rushing in, we give lists of excuses as to why we are too busy to dine with Him. What could be better than spending time with the Lord? Cognitively we know there’s nothing better! I would ask yourselves, what good things have you distracted from the greatest thing? A strong warning comes in verse 24, “ I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.” What are we missing when we ignore Jesus’ calling and invitation? Why do we so often choose the lesser things of life than to trust that being in God’s presence is all we need?

We are so good at choosing the lesser things aren’t we? Just look at Genesis 25. We see the result of Abraham’s choices and the effect it had for all the future generations when he took on additional wives and had children with them. Those children were never a part of God’s plan. Instead, they were sent away and did not receive God’s blessings. For generations after, they lived in hostility. We lack peace when we go after things that are not part of God’s plan.

As we start this year, let us not ignore God’s invitation. Let Psalm 18: 1-6 be our response & memory verse:

I love you, Lord, my strength.

The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;

my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,

my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise,

and I have been saved from my enemies.

The cords of death entangled me;

the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me.

The cords of the grave coiled around me;

the snares of death confronted me.

In my distress I called to the Lord;

I cried to my God for help.

From his temple he heard my voice;

my cry came before him, into his ears.

Enjoy feasting at the Lord’s table this year!

Happy New Year New North Church!


Memory Verse: The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. - Psalm 18:2

Prayer: Lord, I want to make plans according to you what in store for me. Open my heart to be receptive to your voice.