The Parables of Jesus
March 25, 2022
“We’re all invited to the banquet.”
Luke 14:16-24
Most of us have attended a banquet. I’ve been to weddings, retirement parties (including my own), and youth gathering galas. Some banquets had just over one hundred people; others I’ve been to had over 2000 in attendance.
I’ve been unable to attend a couple of these dinners when invited, usually for health reasons. But, generally, when I’m invited to a big banquet, I do my best to attend.
That brings us to our story for today.
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Over the last two days, we’ve read and discussed two Parables that Jesus told at a Pharisee’s house. Today we’ll be discussing the third.
The Parable of the Great Banquet
“When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.”
Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. At the time of the banquet, he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’
“But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’
“Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’
“Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’
“The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’
“ ‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’
“Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in so that my house will be full. I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’” Luke 14:16-24
This Parable was told by Jesus because of what someone at the table said:
“Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.”
The banquet is what might be called “God’s Salvation Banquet.” Jesus is the servant sent out by God the Father to call people to repentance and faith. The guests that were invited to the banquet but refused the invite for a variety of reasons are the people of Israel, as the teachers of the law and Pharisees. The church leaders rejected Jesus. They did not believe He was who he said He was, The Son of God.
In Matthew 10:5, Jesus said,
“These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans.”
Jesus, the servant, went out into the nation of Israel and was rebuked. Then He went back out, inviting the lame, the sick (including those with the sickness of sin), the crippled and blind. This is the same group of people Jesus referenced in yesterday’s devotion.
The servant/Jesus reports that many had come to the banquet from this group. But there is still room at the table (The Kingdom of God), so the servant is sent out a third time. Now to the rural areas where the gentiles live, many of them come to the banquet.
Everyone is invited to God’s banquet table, Jews, Gentiles, young and old, rich and poor, sick and needy. But unfortunately, many people reject Christ’s call to repent and have faith in the Gospel message of Jesus.
Those who reject God’s invitation have only what this world offers and nothing more. But, on the other hand, those who grasp onto the invite will enjoy everlasting life.
Nothing has changed. It was the same today as it was 2000 years ago. We are saved, B.G.T.F., By Grace (God’s unconditional, undeserved love) Through Faith (Our belief that God sent His only Son to be a living sacrifice for our sins, so we may live with Him in eternity forever.)
Dear Jesus. You have invited everyone to the Kingdom Banquet. Help us share Your Gospel message with others, so they may repent and have faith in you. We want everyone to join You at the banquet. Amen.
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