September 14

Love's Compulsion

So the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full. — Luke 14:23 BSB

We can never fully grasp the yearning love God has for the souls of men. He sees us absorbed with farming and industry, business and pleasure, our homes and family life, and knows that all these will fade away like a dream at the first touch of eternity. With deep passion, He desires that we be truly satisfied with the joys that last forever.

The feast He spreads is abundant and ready (Isa 25:6; Isa 55:1-2). A banquet is a time of joy. As guests gather, there is lively conversation, laughter, the enjoyment of good food, and the sharing of friendship and fellowship. Everything that a feast represents, God is eager to give us. “He gives us richly all things to enjoy.” How tragic it is that, deceived by the Evil One, so many forfeit their places at the table God has prepared for them!

The Jewish people were the first to be invited, but they were too preoccupied with material concerns to respond to the gracious invitation. Their excuses were shallow, the real reason being their unwillingness to awaken their souls to grasp the life that is true life! But God’s purpose of love cannot be defeated (Luke 13:28-30; Acts 13:45-48).

“Go out into the highways and hedges.” This is our mission as His servants! The highways are filled with the streams of commerce and pleasure, weddings and funerals, politicians and businesspeople, young men and women, housewives and children. The hedgerows are the quiet country lanes, full of spring flowers or autumn colors. The fast-moving cars and slow country wagons symbolize different lifestyles, but the souls inside both need the message of Good News. Let us go out and compel them to come in, so that our Master’s house may be full!

Prayer

Blessed Lord, have mercy on those who reject the invitation of Your love! Remove all ignorance, hardness of heart, and disregard for Your Word from us. Bring us home, dear Lord, to Your flock, so that we may be saved and become one flock under the Great Shepherd of souls. Amen.