Luke 14:12-13
Then [Jesus] turned to his host. “When you put on a luncheon or a banquet,” He said, “don’t invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbors. For they will invite you back, and that will be your only reward. Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind.”
Ephesians 2:8-9
God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.
What does inclusive mean in God’s kingdom? It means you’re invited. Jesus knew his hosts had invited their chosen guests from a sense of exclusion and pride. Jesus’s invitation is for everyone, regardless of past mistakes, choices and decisions. Jesus did all the heavy lifting and offered salvation as a gift. We are all saved by grace through faith which should rule out any hint of spiritual pride in the way we treat and interact with others.
Have you ever felt like you don’t know enough, aren’t smart enough, aren’t good enough? Jesus welcomes you to His table with open arms. You can accept His invitation now. If you’ve already accepted this gift, who are the people in your life that you can reach out to in love today, offering them this invitation that Jesus freely offers?