Word@Work Luke233 - Luke 14:16-17
Published: Fri, 11/12/10
Word@Work from BeaconLight
TIMED APPOINTMENT
Luke 14:16-17 Jesus replied: "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.' (NIV)
Although some cultures have a relaxed understanding of 'on time', most people in the workplace know that 'time is money'. Whatever is not made today cannot be dispatched tomorrow, and failure to order goods on time means they cannot be used when they are needed. Teachers have to assemble their classes at a particular time; and meetings are arranged at a particular time, otherwise people will not know when to come. Put it another way: we live in a world governed with time and space: for every "What" we do, there is a "When" to do it.
It is the same with God's invitation to His Kingdom. Jesus' parable of the great banquet was all about God making preparations to welcome all those who would believe His invitation. The story is told in a very definite way; there is no room for ambiguity. The banquet is in God's 'diary' for a certain time, and preparations are being made so that everything is ready in time to greet the invited guests. Just at the right time (Galatians 4:4) the invitations were personally delivered, by Jesus and His disciples with an instruction to "Come ... now".
It is true that God is not bound by time or space: but we are. So the only time we have to respond to God's voice is 'now'; tomorrow may be too late. Although God is patient and slow to be angry, it is foolish to test His patience for, at some point, failure to respond will be treated as a 'No' response (Genesis 6:3) - as certainly as death comes to end every possibility. Therefore Psalm 95:6-8 says, "Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts ..." It is very important to respond to the Lord's Word when you hear His voice. Do not delay.
Prayer: Heavenly Father. Thank You for planning for the future of Your people and wanting to welcome all who will believe Christ's invitation to Your heaven. Thank You too for giving me opportunities to obey You and receive Your blessing. Please forgive me when I have failed to respond and missed the moment to cooperate with You for Your glory's sake and my blessing. I repent of my slowness and ask for Your help so that I may more readily work with You each day until Jesus returns to welcome each believer to their special place in Your Kingdom. In Christ's Name. Amen.
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You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
Although some cultures have a relaxed understanding of 'on time', most people in the workplace know that 'time is money'. Whatever is not made today cannot be dispatched tomorrow, and failure to order goods on time means they cannot be used when they are needed. Teachers have to assemble their classes at a particular time; and meetings are arranged at a particular time, otherwise people will not know when to come. Put it another way: we live in a world governed with time and space: for every "What" we do, there is a "When" to do it.
It is the same with God's invitation to His Kingdom. Jesus' parable of the great banquet was all about God making preparations to welcome all those who would believe His invitation. The story is told in a very definite way; there is no room for ambiguity. The banquet is in God's 'diary' for a certain time, and preparations are being made so that everything is ready in time to greet the invited guests. Just at the right time (Galatians 4:4) the invitations were personally delivered, by Jesus and His disciples with an instruction to "Come ... now".
It is true that God is not bound by time or space: but we are. So the only time we have to respond to God's voice is 'now'; tomorrow may be too late. Although God is patient and slow to be angry, it is foolish to test His patience for, at some point, failure to respond will be treated as a 'No' response (Genesis 6:3) - as certainly as death comes to end every possibility. Therefore Psalm 95:6-8 says, "Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts ..." It is very important to respond to the Lord's Word when you hear His voice. Do not delay.
Prayer: Heavenly Father. Thank You for planning for the future of Your people and wanting to welcome all who will believe Christ's invitation to Your heaven. Thank You too for giving me opportunities to obey You and receive Your blessing. Please forgive me when I have failed to respond and missed the moment to cooperate with You for Your glory's sake and my blessing. I repent of my slowness and ask for Your help so that I may more readily work with You each day until Jesus returns to welcome each believer to their special place in Your Kingdom. In Christ's Name. Amen.
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