Devo Week 52
The Last Will Be First -- Their Seat at the Table
Jesus still waits to receive the full reward of His suffering, His inheritance among all nations. (Ps 2:8) His table has been prepared, but there are seats that still remain unoccupied. (Matt. 22:9-10)
Key Concept: Finishing the Task
In 2022, my 93-year-old father passed away to be with the Lord. His generation has experienced some of the greatest changes in history. The invention, progression and proliferation of technology during my father's generation may be unparalleled: from no running water or electricity and doctors traveling horseback, to radios, tv, airplanes, trains, automobiles, air-conditioning and telephones, followed by computers, the internet, and most recently, satellite tv, wireless networking and smartphones.
And yet, today there are still numerous people groups who remain unreached with the Gospel. What is it going to take to finish this task?
I believe, hand-delivered invitations. Living epistles. (II Cor. 3:2-3) An army of passionate followers of Christ willing to live among the least, the last, and the lost. Those who will deliver God's invitation to them in-person, face-to-face, by hand.
We learned this living with both the Akha and Akeu. We were always struck by the lengths in which they would go to extend invitations. As an oral people, most news travelled by word of mouth, and invitations were delivered in-person. Only recently had some adopted the Western idea of written invitations. Yet, still they would be written and delivered by hand as an encouragement to attend the event. The written invitations carried more weight if delivered in-person.
The heart of the Gospel beats. It was true in Jesus' day, and it remains true today. The woman with the issue of blood was touched; Lazarus' death was smelled before his resuscitation; the fish were tasted on the beach after the resurrection; the blind man could see; the deaf could hear and the dumb could speak.
Christ's witnesses are alive and real. The presence of God is most powerful in-person. Will you join God on His mission of inviting all nations to His table? (Luke 13:29)
Key Word Definition: Project (noun)
-- a specific plan or design
Excerpt from Devotional 52 with highlighted word:
"Following Jesus among the neglected is a relational journey, not a project. This makes it a delicate matter. Too many have felt ‘targeted’ and are waiting to be honored through relationship -- to become friends and not the object of our mission."
Scripture: Luke 13:29
“People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God.”