The servant came back and reported this (all declined his banquet invitation) to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’ ‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’ Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full. I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.” (Luke 14:21-24)
Our North Carolina cabin slept eight adults and four children. The only thing that bothered me about our family vacation was there were four empty beds. I pray next time our cabin will be full of children. It’s sad when people are missing.
God wants his house to be full also. He must be incredibly sad that His chosen Jews wouldn’t accept Jesus’ invitation to His banquet. But the fact they don’t decline Jesus’ invitation until the last minute made God angry. God shows us we can satisfy our anger in a positive way. When we are angry at a person or a group of people, he wants us to send our love in a different direction. If you’re angry at your spouse, don’t yell or punch. Use your energy to love another. God was sad and angry at the Jews, so He turned His love to Gentiles. God will keep his promise to the Jews. They may not all eat the food at his first banquet, but when every Gentile is saved, He will turn His favor to the Jews again and save them also. (See Romans 11:25-26.)
Father God, you have built mansions in heaven for everyone. I pray that all will get a taste of Your banquet and that you will fill my children’s rooms plentifully. When I am angry, help me turn my energy in a positive direction to love another. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
Heavenly Father, you know that I am upset about a family situation. Help me to turn the anger into a more positive light and accept what has been done and cannot be changed. You have helped release me of anger and I am trying very hard to find positives in the situation. I know you will guide me if I ask. Father, I am eternally grateful that you have filled one child’s bed in my house.
That’s a beautiful prayer, and I have been praying similarly.