4 Minute Read + Scripture readings
Today’s Bible Reading:
Today’s Bible Verse(s):
“On the contrary, when you host a banquet, invite those who are poor, maimed, lame, or blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
Luke 14:13-14 (CSB)
Reflections on Today’s Bible Verse(s):
Have you ever done something nice for someone, waited for them to say “Thank You,” but it never came?
We could all come up with a thousand scenarios of how we have helped others, maybe even sacrificially, but we were never acknowledged for our kind gesture. While we didn’t necessarily do it for the applause of people, it stung when our sacrificial gesture was unnoticed and unappreciated.
I’m convinced that the reasons we sometimes feel that way aren’t completely due to our sin nature. It’s sometimes rooted in our sense of justice that we received from God. We have this innate sense that wrongs should be punished and rights should be rewarded. When that doesn’t happen, we feel inner turmoil.
Well, in our verses for today, Jesus doesn’t tell us to turn off our desire for rewards when we do something for someone else. Instead, He simply directs our attention to the ultimate award ceremony. Instead of craving the brief, fleeting applause of people, we are to await the unimaginably wonderfully applause ceremony of Heaven.
Luke 14:13-14 (CSB): “On the contrary, when you host a banquet, invite those who are poor, maimed, lame, or blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
In fact, our conviction that all rights will one day be rewarded in Heaven frees us up to serve others who cannot bless us in return. So love and serve others while looking for the applause from Heaven.
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Lord Jesus, I know all too well that I desire to be applauded when I do something kind for others. I realize that my desire for applause isn’t necessarily wrong. Instead, it’s my desire to receive applause from people that’s wrong. So, I want to intentionally begin focusing on the applause I will receive from You one day in Heaven. This mindset just sets my affections even more upon my Heavenly home and You, my Savior. And that’s a very good thing! Amen.
Matt’s Musings 