Read: Luke 14:15-24 NLT – Parable of the Great Feast – Hearing – Bible Gateway
“A man prepared a great feast and sent out many invitations. When the banquet was ready, he sent his servant to tell the guests, ‘Come, the banquet is ready.’ But they all began making excuses.” Luke 14:16-18 NLT
Have you ever been invited to a social function such as a birthday party, a special dinner, or a neighborhood get-together which you have accepted but then looked for a way out of it? I know I have and to my shame it wasn’t the right thing to do. Jesus tells a story of those who accepted an invitation for dinner and then backed out. Their refusing to attend had deeper consequences than a missed meal.
This story (or parable) is about the future Messianic banquet table in the kingdom of God. Jesus is speaking to the Jewish people with the religious leaders also in attendance. Jesus’ intent is more aimed at them as they were constantly trying to trap Him in His words. The man in the story sent out many invitations to his banquet. Jesus is referring here to the Old Testament that speaks about Him. His audience are Jews who have accepted the Old Testament and were looking for the Messiah to come. But when Jesus, the Messiah, came they rejected Him. “He came to his own people, and even they rejected him.” (Jn.1:11 nlt) They began to make excuses why they could not come when in fact they were simply rejecting Him. They said they were too busy.
Today we have many people who have accepted the historic Jesus. They believe He was on earth, did great things, and taught us all about love, but when it comes to accepting Him in a full-blown commitment, they are too busy. They are looking for a way to get out which conjures up all kinds of excuses. Don’t be too busy to accept God’s invitation of salvation by making excuses. There is no legitimate excuse that will stand.
