Who Invited This Guy?
“Who Invited This Guy?”
– A Reflection on Luke 14:1, 7–14
Scripture Reading: Luke 14:1, 7–14
“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” – Luke 14:11
An Invitation That Changes Everything
Are there any Andy Griffith Show fans out there?
I’ve been one all my life. I grew up watching it with my dad, and I still enjoy it today. I even spotted Andy Griffith himself at a Christmas Eve service once when I was a kid in North Hollywood!
One of my favorite episodes, “The Christmas Story,” shows Mayberry’s resident “Scrooge,” Ben Weaver, demanding Sheriff Andy Taylor arrest a moonshiner on Christmas Eve. Instead of throwing the book at him, Andy brings Christmas to the jailed family—and even manages to soften Ben’s heart by inviting him to join in the celebration.
That’s the power of an invitation. And today’s passage in Luke 14 is all about that—except this time, the guest who shows up has everyone wondering: “Who invited this guy?!"
Jesus at the Dinner Party
On the Sabbath, Jesus attends a dinner hosted by a prominent Pharisee. The Pharisees were religious leaders known for strict adherence to the law, often portrayed as Jesus’ opponents in Scripture. So imagine the tension: Jesus, the rabbi stirring up controversy, walking into their exclusive gathering.
And Jesus starts people-watching:
“When he noticed how they chose the places of honor, he told them a parable…” (v. 7)
He tells a story about humility—about not rushing to the seat of honor, lest you be told to move down in embarrassment.
“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” – Luke 14:11
It’s a reminder we still need today: It’s better to humble yourself than to be humiliated.
A Radical Guest List
Then Jesus addresses the host directly:
“When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors… But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed…” (v. 12-14)
Not exactly polite dinner conversation. But Jesus isn’t trying to be polite—He’s challenging their hearts.
Inviting family and friends is easy. It’s comfortable. It’s predictable. But inviting those on the margins—the people who can’t repay you—that’s love without strings attached.
Our Own Guest Lists
Raise your hand if you’ve ever hosted a dinner party or planned an event. Who do we usually invite? Family. Friends. Co-workers. People we know. That’s normal and good—but Jesus pushes us further.
He’s not giving us a new set of rules for dinner parties. He’s asking:
“Why do you invite who you invite? Is it out of love… or out of what you might get back?”
If I’m honest, I can think of excuses why not to invite the “other.” It’s uncomfortable. I don’t know them. It might be awkward. Someone else can do it. Maybe next time.
But as I’ve heard it said:
“The biggest mistake we make is thinking we have time.”
Blessed Beyond Repayment
Jesus promises that when we invite and bless those who cannot repay, God Himself repays—not with a future dinner invite, but with eternal blessing:
“You will be blessed… for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.” – Luke 14:14
That’s treasure in heaven. That’s a blessing far greater than anything this world offers.
Where Do We Begin?
Start small. Invitations don’t always look like big banquets.
Jesus’ Invitation to Us
This isn’t just Jesus’ teaching about our invitations—it’s His invitation to us. An invitation to live generously, humbly, and courageously.
When we invite those on the margins, when we give without expecting anything in return, we reflect the very heart of God.
So when someone asks, “Who invited this guy?”
Let’s make sure the answer is: “We did.”
Question for Reflection:
Who is God putting on your heart to invite—not for what they can do for you, but because they matter to Him?
– A Reflection on Luke 14:1, 7–14
Scripture Reading: Luke 14:1, 7–14
“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” – Luke 14:11
An Invitation That Changes Everything
Are there any Andy Griffith Show fans out there?
I’ve been one all my life. I grew up watching it with my dad, and I still enjoy it today. I even spotted Andy Griffith himself at a Christmas Eve service once when I was a kid in North Hollywood!
One of my favorite episodes, “The Christmas Story,” shows Mayberry’s resident “Scrooge,” Ben Weaver, demanding Sheriff Andy Taylor arrest a moonshiner on Christmas Eve. Instead of throwing the book at him, Andy brings Christmas to the jailed family—and even manages to soften Ben’s heart by inviting him to join in the celebration.
That’s the power of an invitation. And today’s passage in Luke 14 is all about that—except this time, the guest who shows up has everyone wondering: “Who invited this guy?!"
Jesus at the Dinner Party
On the Sabbath, Jesus attends a dinner hosted by a prominent Pharisee. The Pharisees were religious leaders known for strict adherence to the law, often portrayed as Jesus’ opponents in Scripture. So imagine the tension: Jesus, the rabbi stirring up controversy, walking into their exclusive gathering.
And Jesus starts people-watching:
“When he noticed how they chose the places of honor, he told them a parable…” (v. 7)
He tells a story about humility—about not rushing to the seat of honor, lest you be told to move down in embarrassment.
“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” – Luke 14:11
It’s a reminder we still need today: It’s better to humble yourself than to be humiliated.
A Radical Guest List
Then Jesus addresses the host directly:
“When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors… But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed…” (v. 12-14)
Not exactly polite dinner conversation. But Jesus isn’t trying to be polite—He’s challenging their hearts.
Inviting family and friends is easy. It’s comfortable. It’s predictable. But inviting those on the margins—the people who can’t repay you—that’s love without strings attached.
Our Own Guest Lists
Raise your hand if you’ve ever hosted a dinner party or planned an event. Who do we usually invite? Family. Friends. Co-workers. People we know. That’s normal and good—but Jesus pushes us further.
He’s not giving us a new set of rules for dinner parties. He’s asking:
“Why do you invite who you invite? Is it out of love… or out of what you might get back?”
If I’m honest, I can think of excuses why not to invite the “other.” It’s uncomfortable. I don’t know them. It might be awkward. Someone else can do it. Maybe next time.
But as I’ve heard it said:
“The biggest mistake we make is thinking we have time.”
Blessed Beyond Repayment
Jesus promises that when we invite and bless those who cannot repay, God Himself repays—not with a future dinner invite, but with eternal blessing:
“You will be blessed… for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.” – Luke 14:14
That’s treasure in heaven. That’s a blessing far greater than anything this world offers.
Where Do We Begin?
Start small. Invitations don’t always look like big banquets.
- Invite a lonely neighbor for coffee.
- Drop off a meal to a new parent.
- Volunteer at the food pantry or chat with someone who visits the Daily Bread fridge.
Jesus’ Invitation to Us
This isn’t just Jesus’ teaching about our invitations—it’s His invitation to us. An invitation to live generously, humbly, and courageously.
When we invite those on the margins, when we give without expecting anything in return, we reflect the very heart of God.
So when someone asks, “Who invited this guy?”
Let’s make sure the answer is: “We did.”
Question for Reflection:
Who is God putting on your heart to invite—not for what they can do for you, but because they matter to Him?
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