When You Hold a Banquet…
Bill Neff was a friend of mine in Harrisonburg. Bill and his wife, Elizabeth, held a Christmas banquet every year for the homeless, those who had just been released from prison, and for those who had no one with whom to celebrate Christmas. The Neffs had a wonderfully large home that could accommodate more than 100 people in their living room. Bill and Elizabeth would serve dinner to 175 to 200 every year, and the meal was out of this world. The menu always had prime rib, oysters and fried chicken with all the extras. Bill would dress up as an elf and give gifts to everyone. Bill and Elizabeth did this for eight years, and even after Bill died, the memories live on. It took up to 60 volunteers to pull this off!
Bill and Elizabeth opened their home on Christmas Eve to those who did not have a place to celebrate Christmas. Jesus told the teacher of the law to welcome “the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind” to his home, and in Luke 14:14 it says the banquet guests would be those who could not repay him.
In Luke 14:7, we read, “Jesus noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table.” Matthew 20:21 tells us that the two places of highest honor in biblical times were on the right and left side of the host. This parable teaches us that it’s better to humble oneself than to be humiliated by others. Paul teaches us to “have the same mindset as Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5) who – though He was God – became a human servant.
Bill and Elizabeth Neff invited people to their home so they could be “an instrument of God’s love and His wisdom.” Serving others with humility is one way we can be “representatives of the kingdom of heaven.”
Bill and Elizabeth offered their home and food to those who would not have a special place to be on Christmas. As we prepare for Thanksgiving and Christmas, we have an opportunity to extend God’s kingdom to others. Think ahead now and decide how you can share God’s love this holiday season.
Prayer – Thank you, Jesus, for becoming a servant. Teach us how to help those in need. Help me to care for others, showing them Your love. Amen.
Luke 14:13-14 – “When you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed.”
By the Rev. Tommy Herndon
Images: Andra C. Taylor, Jr., Jed Owen & Libby Penner, courtesy of Unsplash
