Luke 10:1 - 20:19
(Focus Passage Luke 14:15-24)
Since today is Thanksgiving, I thought I would keep in the spirit of the day and discuss the Parable of the Great Banquet.
In the parable, the man giving the banquet sent his servants to gather the people that had been invited. Typically in OT times, two invitations were sent out. The first was to notify people and for them to get prepared. The second was when the banquet was ready. So, we are at the second invite. And the first invitees represent the ones that considered themselves important at the time; Pharisees, Sadduccees, Herodians, etc.
But each invite came with excuses. Luke 14:18-20
But they all 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."
Each of the excuses the invitees gave, are also ones we use today. The first person was more concerned with his possessions. The second person was more concerned with his livelihood, or job. The last person was more concerned with his family. They all had something else that was more important to them.
Materialism, Occupation, and Other People. They are the wordly interests that we still use today as excuses from attending the banquet, which is a relationship with Jesus.
Next notice that the master of the banquet sends his servants into the city to invite people. This symbolizes the rest of Israel; the poor, widows, orphans, oppressed, etc. Then there was still room at the banquet for more, so he sent his servants out to the roads and country lanes. This symbolizes the Gentiles. In the end, you will notice that the invitation of Jesus is open to everyone. However, some will refuse to come to the banquet. Some will choose the things of this world.
As we pause during this time of giving thanks, may I remind you that millions around the world will not have a feast today. Millions may not have much to be thankful for. But you can make a difference. Those that God has given plenty, are expected to give plenty.
There was another feast that Jesus talked about that started with a few loaves and a few fish. But because one person gave little, much was accomplished. So I would encourage you all to give to World Hunger through the SBC, to adopt a child through one of the numerous Christian organizations, to volunteer at the Baptist Mission Center or Grace Rescue Mission.
Because Jesus himself said,
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’
