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Jul 20, 2023 18:30pm

Who are You Inviting to Your Table?

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If you could invite 3 people to dinner, who would it be?

It’s always interesting to hear people’s answers to this question. Cultural influence, interests and personality traits make themselves known as they name their guests.

What would your guests say about you? About your life?

In the book of Luke, we find Jesus healing crowds of people and calling out men to follow Him. In chapter 5, He finds a man named Levi, who we know as Matthew. He’s a publican, which means he’s a tax collector.

Now, I know what you’re thinking, ugh! Taxes! Even today, we despise the IRS for the exorbitant amount of money we pay in taxes! Can you imagine how the Jews felt about them? These publicans were Jews themselves, but they were considered traitors because they worked for the Roman government. Many times these publicans would add money to what was owed so they could keep a little for themselves. They lived lavishly and were hated by the Jews for their betrayal.

So, out of all the people Jesus could call to follow Him, who did He call out?

Matthew.

The publican.

And in verse 28, it says that after Jesus said “Follow me”, Matthew left all, rose up and followed Him.

Everything.

He left it all.

The lavish life. The good food. The nice clothes. The abundance. The ability to provide for himself.

All.

Luke 5:29-32

“And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them.”

Levi, aka Matthew, hosts a huge dinner to celebrate! And of course, his guest of honor is Jesus. But he can’t host a dinner without other guests. Who will he invite? The only people that he knows. The only ones who would associate with him. The only ones who were like him.

The publicans.

The hated among the Jews.

The sinners.

And of course, the Pharisees had something to say about it. They were around every corner, watching, waiting, looking for reason to disqualify Jesus. Seeking to steal His glory, kill His work on earth, and destroy Him. These were the religious leaders and their very way of life and authority was being challenged and flipped upside down.

“But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners? And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

Matthew knew what Jesus had done for him. He knew the change that took place within him. He could have ran home to his parents and said “I’m changed! I’m not the same! I’m a new man!” Or found the Pharisees to declare to them that he was no longer a tax collector in hopes they would see his righteousness. He could have invited them to the feast.

But he didn’t.

He invited those that needed Jesus, too.

So, who are you inviting to your table?

It’s great to fellowship with our Christian friends and should certainly be done. But who else can we extend the invitation to? Who truly needs Jesus?

As we open up our table, let’s be mindful and intentional to welcome those that need the great physician. Demonstrate God’s love in such a way that they too want to know Jesus.