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We noticed a little silver car pull into the driveway. At first, the driver stayed in the car, looking unsure, but within a few minutes, she stepped out and began walking to the door. She knocked, but of course, we already knew she was there. Where we live, that’s one of the highlights of the day – seeing who’s coming up the road.
We get about 3-4 cars a day: the mailman, the ups driver, the school bus, and an occasional passerby.
We had already watched her slowly come down the washed out, gravel road, pull in and approach the house.
“Hello!”
As we opened the door, she looked almost relieved.
“I didn’t think anyone even lived out here. And then I saw this house. I’m glad I found you!”
She was with the census. We explained she could have saved herself some trouble and just mailed out the information, but she said, “Nonsense. Everyone matters. Everyone counts.”
Luke 14:15-24
“Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.”
The highways and the hedges.
While this may not seem like much, this phrase was one of the most controversial statements Jesus made while on earth.
The Jews were God’s chosen people. But many were rejecting their invitation from God through Jesus. They just assumed they would enter heaven because they were descendants of the great Patriarchs. Hearing their excuses for refusing, God opened up the invitation to Heaven to more than just the Jews.
The highways and the hedges.
This would have literally meant, go outside the city to the country roads. But figuratively, it represented something of great significance.
Gentiles.
You and me.
In this moment, Jesus states that His salvation is for ALL people and the gospel should go everywhere.
Like the girl with the census said, “everyone matters, everyone counts.”
Do you realize that?
Jesus has a special place and purpose for you specifically. He wants to know YOU! Not because of your family, your sacrifices, the good things you’ve done, but YOU alone.
He will even travel down the dark, dusty road in the middle of nowhere to find you. And when He knocks, will you open the door? Many will run and hide, make excuses, but what will YOU do?
You matter to God. Today, choose to follow Him. He has sent the invitation.
Share the Gospel.
Make Disciples.
Everywhere.
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