“Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!” (Luke 14:15) The Lord Jesus is wise, through the parables of the feasts, He used everyday necessities like eating and drinking to speak about the ultimate necessity, eternal life. I would like to share two learning points from the Parable of the Wedding Feast. 

Wedding Feast (Verse 7-11)

Guests at a wedding feast always dress splendidly to appear distinguished before man but the Lord Jesus said that we must humble ourselves, to not sit in the best place. Those who exalt themselves before people will be humbled before God. The standard of the world is to judge people based on their appearance but the standard of God’s kingdom is for one to not think of himself more highly than he ought to think (Romans 12:3).

“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 14:11). Because God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). Humility is the true path to exaltation. This form of humility is not belittling yourself, false modesty or waiting to be honored, but rather recognizing our true nature and unworthiness. In church, there are different positions such as preacher, deacon and teacher. They are different roles and each have a different function but in terms of “identity” we are all the same. We have all received the salvation grace of the Lord Jesus, we are all equally unworthy but yet chosen to be one family.

Hosting a Banquet (12-14)

Jesus said “Whenever you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor wealthy neighbours”, because these people are just as wealthy as you and living comfortably together in the same warm environment. Instead, we need to broaden our vision and focus on those who are in need, including the poor, the disabled, the lame, the blind…Jesus esteem those who are in need, we need to learn the heart of the Lord Jesus to care for those in need. The fellowship with brethren in church is like enjoying a spiritual banquet, are we only enjoying the banquet with those who are like us or do we pay attention to brethren who are weak and lonely around us and invite them to enjoy the banquet together? 

In addition, true giving is not done in front of man but rather done in front of God. When done in front of man, we receive praises from men and have obtained what we wanted, but when done in front of God, others do not know but God knows, we have obtained God’s approval. Matthew 6:3 says “But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing”, and “One who is gracious to a poor person lends to the Lord, And He will repay him for his good deed.” (Proverbs 19:17). Sometimes, we think that small acts of kindness are so effortless that we don’t keep them in mind and quickly forget them but God sees and remembers them all. 

Those who feast in the kingdom of God are the humble and kind, are we also willing to be blessed in this way?