The fourteenth chapter of Luke tells us that when Jesus was dining at the house of a prominent Pharisee, He told a story. It is a parable that provides great insight into mankind’s relationship with God. This illustration was in response to a comment from one of the guests with him at the table who said, “Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 14:15b).
Jesus proceeded to tell those with Him about a man who was hosting a great banquet and had invited many guests. When the banquet was ready he sent his servant to summon the invited guests so they could celebrate with him, however they weren’t all that interested in attending the feast. Luke 14:18-24 says, ”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 the servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full. I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’”
Jesus Was The Servant
The Lord God Almighty sent His servant, Jesus Christ into the world to offer salvation to humanity. Jesus paid for all sin when He died on the cross at Calvary, thereby facilitating the invitation to all people to come to the kingdom of heaven where the Bible tells us there will be a great feast.
In Revelation 19:9 we are told, “Then the angel said to me, ‘Write: ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’ And he added, ‘These are the true words of God.’” Do you notice the similarities here? Jesus connected the dots in advance of this statement.
The invitations have been sent out. How we respond to our personal invitation is crucial to attending the banquet. Many people have received their invitation and believe they can put off reserving their spot at the Lord’s table until much later. You might be preoccupied with your job or university. Maybe you aren’t ready to give up a certain lifestyle that you enjoy. Perhaps you don’t feel worthy could or could care less if you attend. Or… you don’t believe there will be a banquet at all…
Matthew 22 records the same story and Jesus concludes with the statement, “For many are invited but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:14). In Matthew’s rendition there is a man who tried to attend the feast, however he wasn’t wearing wedding clothes and he was subsequently cast out of the banquet hall, into the darkness (Matthew 22:13). Don’t let this spiritual truth escape you.
We Are All In Need Of A Savior
Who are the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame? All of us. We are all spiritually poor, crippled, blind and lame. In fact, the Bible says we are spiritually dead until we surrender to Christ (Ephesians 2:1, 5, 13; Romans 8:10). Jesus said in John 5:25, “I tell you the truth, a time is coming when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live.”
Romans 3:23 says, “for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God,” and James 2:10 teaches, “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.” Apart from Christ there is no salvation (John 14:6). Even many people who attend church regularly haven’t surrendered their lives to Jesus and think that being a good person is all God asks of them. They know about Jesus but don’t know Jesus personally. And sadly, they haven’t responded to their invitation to attend the banquet.
Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord,’ did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from Me, you evildoers!’” (Matthew 7:21).
Matthew 25 records the parable of the ten bridesmaids, five of which were wise and five who were foolish. The wise ones took extra oil for their lamps while the foolish ones did not. When the bridegroom was delayed in coming the lamps of the foolish ones went out and they had to go and buy more oil. While they were gone, the bridegroom arrived and they missed their opportunity to accompany him to the wedding banquet.
It is crucial to understand that all of these bridesmaids represent believers in Christ. Yet not all were permitted into the banquet. When the foolish ones arrived at the banquet hall they found the doors had been closed. “‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’ But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you. I don’t know you.'” (Matthew 25:11-12). It is incumbent upon those who profess faith in Christ to be faithful to Him and have a valid relationship with Him.
In Revelation 3:17, Jesus says to the church at Laodicea, “You say, I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shamefulness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.”
The apostle Paul wrote in Galatians 3:26-27, “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptised into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” If we are clothed with Christ we are covered by Him and covered by His blood. The Bible says the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:7; Hebrews 9:14). You don’t need to get cleaned up to take a bath, but you do need to take the bath to get clean. In other words, you don’t have to be righteous to come to Christ but once you do, you must not continue in sin. Are you washed in the blood of Jesus?
The Bride Of Christ
The true church is depicted as the bride of Christ in scripture (The Bride of Christ Feb. 9, 2021). As the bride of Christ true believers are betrothed to Him, forsaking all others and we are expected to be faithful to Him. Our drinking from the cup of communion at the Lord’s table signifies our acceptance of His marriage covenant and proclaims our anticipation of the bridegroom returning for His bride.
Revelation 19:6-8 reveals, “Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: ‘Hallelujah! For the Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.’” Have you committed your allegiance to the Bridegroom?
Jesus wept over Jerusalem, “and said, ‘If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace – but now it is hidden from your eyes. The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.” (Luke 19:42-44). This was fulfilled in AD 70 (see also Matthew 21:43).
Luke 14:24 contains a warning to us all. “I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.” Its not too late to surrender wholly and completely to Christ. We are given a brief window in time to RSVP for the great banquet. Don’t delay! One day God will close the doors to the banquet hall (Matthew 25:10), just as He closed the door to Noah’s ark (Genesis 7:16).
Answer The Call
The invitations have been sent out and I encourage you not to pass up your opportunity to RSVP. The Lord meets us on the streets, in the back alleys, on the side roads and the country lanes and invites us to come to His banquet. Yet there are many who procrastinate and may never live to see another opportunity to surrender to Christ. 2 Corinthians 2 says, “In the time of My favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you. I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.”
God is longsuffering towards us and has provided ample time to each and every one of us to choose wisely. He is gentle and will never coerce us into serving Him. 2 Peter 3:9 reminds us, “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” So come.
Jesus says in Revelation 3:20, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him and he with Me.” And we will dine with Jesus at the great banquet. Praise Him! PRAISE HIM!
