Luke 14:12 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 neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee. 13 But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: 14 And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.
This passage of scripture could not come at a better time than this, when families and friends are eagerly looking forward to celebrating the thanksgiving holiday in a warm and friendly environment. While this is good and acceptable in the sight of God, Christ introduces another important aspect to feast-making that is often neglected at times such as these. Jesus is not saying here that friends and families and brethren should be excluded, for this will nullify several other scriptures which exemplify the unity of the brotherhood in the breaking of bread and close fellowship with each other, such as took place during and after the day of Pentecost.
What Jesus is saying is that the less fortunate, and the stranger should not be neglected in any way, and that they should be more than welcome to sit at our tables, and should be welcomed with open arms, since we are all at the same level at the foot of the cross. On one occasion Jesus was moved to make a correction on this point when He was invited to a feast by a rich pharisee by the name of Simon, who had invited Christ, together with many other distinguished guests to dine at his table. But suddenly a former hooker opened the door and began to wash the feet of Jesus, and this action of hers so incensed Simon, that he began to question in his heart, whether Christ was really the One sent from God. Let's read:
Luke 7:36 And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat. 37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, 38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. 39 Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner. 40 And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. 44 And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. 45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.
In our own experiences, we are counseled by The Lord Himself to open our doors to those of our fellowmen, who may be suffering under a load of financial burdens, or who may not consider themselves worthy of a welcome to our feasts. Christ who is our example in all things has made ready His own banquet for all who desire to sit at the welcome table, and we who are His disciples should follow in the footsteps of The Master. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which encourages us to be kind to the less fortunate, and to those are despised, for in so doing, the gospel of salvation is exercised in the present tense, and will go a long way, in the saving of those for whom Christ died. Let's read:
Matthew 5:46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
May God add His blessing to the study and practice of His every word. God bless!