The Banquet

“But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”                                                            Luke 14.13 14

In this parable, Jesus gives an illustration of a feast and the guests one might invite to show how we may act, either to receive something good for ourselves in return, or to bless those who are not well placed in this life and where there would be no “worldly” benefit for us.

I see “the feast” as representative of my life here on earth. Those I invite to the feast are the people I choose to help during my life’s journey. I can cultivate friendships and work with and for those who can directly benefit me in return. I see this as being like inviting my friends, brothers, relatives and rich neighbours to the feast. I can truly say that this manner of cultivating relationship has always been alien to me. Certainly, I appreciate the relationships I have with such people, but my connection with them is not prompted by any ulterior motive.

Rather, my choice would be to look for and help those who really need it, and who do not seem to have the necessary ready support. These, indeed, are the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind. These are the people that Jesus would invite to His banquet. I pray that God may lead me to minister to the likes of these.

Loving God,

Your heart seems to be clearly toward the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind. I see them at Your banquet, and their disabilities disappear.

I ask for a growing heart towards such people, and a deepening desire to help them. As I do, may I share Your love with them such that they are invited into relationship with You. The choice is always theirs, but may my reaching out to them in practical ways bring home to them the spiritual dimensions of this life of love.

I pray for the lost. May they be found. May I be used by You to invite them to the banquet of the Lamb. Let me love them as You do, in Jesus’ name I ask.              Amen.

Privilege

Jesus replied, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat."               Matt. 14.16

These words occur in the midst of a most interesting narrative. Jesus had heard of the killing of John the Baptist by Herod. He had withdrawn to a private place where, presumably, He could quietly react and respond to the disturbing news.

But the crowds, aware of His move, followed Him. His response was instant, and most amazing and wonderful: when Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick (v14). Wow! This man set aside His own sadness and grief to instantly minister to others in need.

The day unfolded. As evening fell, the disciples came to Jesus with a suggestion that He disperse the people so that they might get food for themselves at nearby villages. It is then that Jesus tells the disciples to give these people something to eat.

What does this mean? Is Jesus saying, even after a long (and maybe challenging) day of ministry, that He doesn't want the crowds to disperse? Is He, perhaps, challenging His disciples, saying to then, "I've ministered greatly this day, now it's your turn" ? 

As I reflect on this, I imagine Jesus inviting me further into the partnership that He has drawn me into. It's as if He's saying, "It's been a long day. I came here to rest and reflect quietly. But this did not happen. Instead I have ministered, and I gladly did so. But now, perhaps it's your turn. How about helping me out here? My compassion cannot see me turn these people away hungry. How about you see what you can do to help them?" 

Again, I say "Wow!"

Lord Jesus, 

You are saying much to me at this time. You remind me that I live daily, in every moment, in inseparable partnership with You. I am yoked to You. We are a team.

You perform amazing miracles. You give of yourself unstintingly – time and again. And you say to me, "You give them something to eat." With these few words You most positively remind me that my place is with You. Together we can reach out to others. As a team we minister. This is the Father's will, that we honour Him in tandem.

Most gracious Jesus, I am awed by the privilege of partnership with You. After recent days I have been tempted to allow tiredness and despondency to settle upon me. I have needed this divine reminder. I give myself to Your refreshing. Let us go forward together, in that wonderful, enduring, inseparable partnership. Thank You.        Amen.

My Goal

He replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘I will drive out demons and heal people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.’ ”                              Luke 13.32

The Pharisees have told Jesus that Herod (the fox) wants to kill Him. They urge Him to leave the area. Jesus’ response clearly shows that He is living His life to a predetermined plan and will not be swayed or dictated to by men. He is totally committed to God’s way.

His present ministry He will practice today and tomorrow (likely a Semitic phrase referring to an indefinite but limited period of time). After that, when God so determines, He will reach His goal, the culmination of His mission here on earth.

I wonder how Jesus the man felt when the Pharisees made their insidious comments. He was very likely up to their plan to be rid of Him. Would He have been tempted to succumb to their suggestion as any mere mortal might? The narrative gives no hint of this but, rather, asserts His clear conviction and commitment to what had been pre-ordained for Him.

I believe there is a pre-ordained plan for my life. I also believe I can influence, even change, God’s plan by the choices I make. Jesus also had this ability, but He chose instead to be obedient. May I do likewise.

Gracious Father,

I believe You have a definite plan for my life. I so want to give myself fully into Your plan. I seek Your guidance in this. May I walk close with You. I know the value of Your holy word.

Speak to me, please, through Your Word. Communicate also with me by the words of others, through dreams and visions, and the general experiences of life. I ask to walk with You for, as I do, I am shaped and formed by You.

May I not be influenced by any human comment that contradicts You, but may I give myself fully to Your plan. I ask these things in Jesus’ name.                        Amen.

My book “God Talk” is available through major Internet booksellers.

A taste of the book's content can be seen in the You Tube clip (Search: Peter Francis - "God Talk").

Quiet Waters

He makes me lie down in green pastures,

he leads me beside quiet waters,

he restores my soul.                                                                       Psalm 23. 2, 3a

The waters were indeed quiet. The whole scene was one of peace, of the utmost serenity. We weren’t, in fact, beside the waters, we were on the waters – in pedal-powered kayaks!

I have recently spent a brief time in the Central West district of New South Wales. I was privileged to be part of ministry teams on two succeeding weekends in the Wellington area. Some friends in Dubbo invited me to stay with them for the intervening weekdays. Whilst there, another friend invited me to join him for a short kayak trip on the Macquarie River. And so, I was led to quiet waters.

The day was simply “divine”, with a clear blue sky and a bright and warm sun. And, if the sun started to get too warm, a gentle breeze would bring sweet cooling. We first drove a little distance south of Dubbo, there we embarked upon the water in totally unspoilt, and presently uninhabited, countryside. Indeed we saw no other humans during the entire sojourn.

At one stage we passed some very contented looking cows, a number of who were lying down in their green pastures.

The green fields lay behind the riverbanks, which were resplendent with gums, willows and other varied vegetation.

The predominant wildlife was birds – many varieties with the most cheerful, bright and soothing songs. I even found the raucous calls of the sulphur-crested cockatoos to be appealing.

As we paddled silently along, I felt overcome by God in the beauty, grace and majesty of His creation. As well as this, His very presence overwhelmed me in rest, joy and peace.

I experience the most wonderful feelings of joy, deep shalom, and a fulfilment that is utterly beyond my own capabilities each and every time I minister with and for God. Then, at times like this present, it’s as if Jesus brings me apart to meet with Himself, the Father and the Spirit. He leads me beside (and in this case on) quiet waters. If I choose, I can lie down in green pastures. And through it all He restores my soul. I give myself wholly into His way, and gratefully receive His refreshing.

I believe every faithful follower of our precious Lord needs to give himself or herself over to times of refreshing, renewal and reconnecting with Him in the tranquillity of His peace and His presence in those times when it’s only Him and me.

I thank my dear friends in Dubbo for their invitations and hospitality. And I thank my precious Lord that He had planned this time of relaxation, refreshment and sweet connection with Him.

Dear Father in Heaven,

I have just experienced a most precious time of intimacy here on earth with You. I thank You. I pray for anyone who may be reading this account, that they will be willing to give themselves over to You for times of reconnecting and refreshing whenever You open the way for them to do so. I ask You to bless them with, and in, such times.                      Amen.