Jesus commands that we make more disciples. But unlike other teachers, Jesus simply invited others to follow him: No previous experience or other qualifications required or needed. Jesus demonstrates that through a genuine invitation, the reign of God is open to everyone. Although the practice of inviting others to God’s feast is often not included as a mark of discipleship, it is vital to the mission of all disciples to make more disciples.
Read Luke 14:7–24. All have been invited to God’s feast. We must be ready to invite others and to accept and follow through on the invitations we receive. Somewhere along our journey as disciples, we have forgotten the purpose for making such a radical invitation. Disciples are to be ready to both receive and offer an invitation. Because as we invite others, we meet Jesus, who leads us as disciples to get our work done!
This message is excerpted from “Lessons for today’s disciples” by Valora K. Starr, a 2009 resource of the Women of the ELCA. Today we commemorate Matthew, apostle and evangelist.
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