Why doesn’t the world take Christians seriously? Often our lives are no different than non-Christians. People aren’t attracted to the church because they don’t see sparkle and a zest for life. Getting involved in the lives of others will make you come alive!
One of the Pharisee leaders watched Jesus closely when He asked “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?” Jesus healed a man suffering from dropsy and reasoned that if you had a son or ox fall into a well, wouldn’t you pull him out on the Sabbath? (Lk. 14:1-6). Minister to needs that come across your path.
Jesus spoke a parable to invited guests after noticing they had picked places of honor at the table. Instead, He said for them to sit at the last place so the master may say, ‘Friend, move up higher’, resulting in honor instead of disgrace. “For everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled, and he who humbles himself shall be exalted” (Lk. 14:7-11). Humble yourself to be exalted.
Jesus told the host to not invite his friends, brothers, relatives or rich neighbors, lest they invite him in return. When giving a reception, invite the poor, crippled, lame and blind in order to be blessed since they have no means to repay. Wait for payment at the resurrection of the righteous (Lk. 14:12-14). Spend time with the poor, crippled, lame and blind.
Jesus shared another parable about a man who invited many to a big dinner and the various excuses given why they couldn’t come: oversee a piece of land, try out five yoke of oxen and married a wife. The master told his slave to go immediately into the streets and bring in the poor, crippled, blind and lame. After finding there was still room, the master said to “go out into the highways and along the hedges and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.” None invited shall taste of His dinner (Lk. 14:15-24). Leave your comfort zone so the poor, crippled, blind and lame can experience a personal relationship with Christ.
Jesus continued to share about the cost of discipleship since one’s love for family and his own life should be hated in comparison to Christ. Being a disciple involves carrying a cross. Just like calculating the cost to build a tower or king taking counsel whether he is strong enough to win in battle, count the cost before becoming a disciple. If you put possessions in their proper perspective, then you can become a disciple. Not paying the price of discipleship results in being tasteless and ineffective (Lk. 14:25-35). To influence others, pay the price by not letting other things exceed your love for Christ.
Answer the following questions on how to get involved in others’ lives so you come alive:
1. Do you minister to needs that come across your path or walk on the other side to avoid them?
2. Are you humble not expecting attention or exalt yourself to feel important?
3. Do you spend time with the poor, crippled, blind and lame (either physically or spiritually) or only hang out with important and beautiful people?
4. Do you leave your comfort zone to help the poor, crippled, blind and lame experience a personal relationship with God or hide away at home, office or church building?
5. Do you pay the price in loving Christ more than other things or love other things more than Christ?
Repent of your sin, ask God to change your heart and obey Him by doing the first thing listed in each question.
