MAKING A BLEST FEAST

Luke 14:12-14 Then said He also to him that bade Him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbors; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompense be made thee. But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: and thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.

Having taught a lesson on humility by using a wedding feast as an example, Jesus now teaches a lesson on hospitality that should be observed when providing a feast for others by referring to this dinner that He was invited to, and hosted, by a chief Pharisee. Speaking directly to His host, this chief Pharisee, Jesus told him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbors. By this statement does Jesus mean that this Pharisee, and by intimation we in this day and age, are to ignore and refrain from demonstrating hospitality toward our relatives, neighbors, friends, or those found in any other political or social status? Not by any means. Indeed, we are to be hospitable to all people whenever the opportunity presents itself, without regard of their relationship to us, their wealth, or any other status measure.

Jesus then told us the reason for such charity without respect of persons. We are not to demonstrate hospitality in order to gain an earthly reward for doing so - never giving to others with the expectation of them returning the favor. So is the meaning of the phrase that ends verse 12: lest they also bid thee again, and a recompense be made thee. God's law of hospitable love cannot be demonstrated by either party when one gives only to those that, in turn, give back to them to the same degree. Where reciprocity is expected, true hospitality cannot be found, and God will assuredly withhold His blessing. The reward to the host, in this instance, is the earthly recompense from others, and has no eternal redemptive value.

In order for a host to receive God's blessing from an event such as this, true love for others must be demonstrated. Jesus tells how this is possible in the following verses. But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: and thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just. If heavenly rewards are sought for making a hospitable feast, then call the poor - those that are destitute and unable to provide nourishing food for themselves. Also call the maimed, the lame, the blind; because of their severe handicaps, they too are unable to secure necessary food. And because of their lack of wealth, they cannot recompense thee by bidding the host to a feast in like kind. When such charitable hospitality is extended to those that cannot repay the kindness shown to them, thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.

Jesus gave us an example of true charity in the parable of "The Great Supper,"which follows the lesson text in verses 16-24. Jesus told us that if we love only those that love us, do good only to those that do good to us, and lend only to those from whom we expect a personal benefit, then no true charity is demonstrated and there will be no eternal reward from God. The greatest blessing of all, Jesus says, can be found only when we love our enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest (See Luke 6:32-36). For gifts of kindness, the rich will repay you with worldly gifts and treasures, but the poor will repay you with thankful prayers to God for your caring, compassionate, charitable love. The best rewards we will ever receive will not be given to us in this world. They will be given as heavenly rewards for the deeds of kindness rendered to others in need while we are here on earth. Indeed, true acts of charity will be remembered and repaid on the final day of eternal resurrection.

If we esteem the rich and entertain them, while disrespecting the poor and ignore their needs, God says we are guilty of having respect to persons - a sin that will be justly punished (See James 2:1-9). When we feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, give lodging to the stranger, clothe the naked, visit the sick, give comfort to those in prisons, then, and only then, will our Heavenly Father say to us, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me (See Matt. 25:34-40).