PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Luke 14:15-24
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“But they all alike began to make excuses.” (Luke 14:18)
In this parable, the ones first invited make excuses.
Their own personal lives are more important than the banquet.
And so the invite goes to the needy, and they eagerly come.
Who are the ones that are invited first?
God’s covenant people (OT Israel, NT Church) are invited first.
But they are too busy, distracted, wrapped up in themselves.
They make excuses for why living for the banquet does not work.
Jesus is talking about those close to him who do not join with him.
He is on a mission, preparing a banquet for all people (Luke 13:29).
God’s mission is Jesus’s mission is our mission… am I joining in?
Everything is ready, and we are sent to bring people in.
Jesus challenges our life priorities – ignoring others for ourselves.
What are my excuses for not filling God’s family with feasters?
Living for God and others, or for myself – which will it be?
PRAYER
Lord, I can’t convince anyone, but I can make your love so appealing that others want to taste it. Help me to feast on your love and to graciously share it with others.
“he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’” Jesus invites us to the banquet – let’s be sure to take up his invitation and not make excuses. When he calls be sure to answer – yes come Jesus says – before it’s too late. Often in our lives we are so busy we do not listen to him calling and sometimes opportunities to serve like Jesus are missed. I know I’m not always ready – often I’m a reluctant follower. If I wait until I ‘feel like it’ I know I’ll be late or forgetting. Rather it is important to answer the call – to serve like Jesus when the opportunity arises. He’s invited me!
I Christian, am I too busy doing my own thing that I am not listening to the Lord’s voice? His way or my way? I was created to serve so serve I must. Spirit of the living God, fall on me so that I do Your will and not my selfish desires. God must be first in all I do and say. His will be done. Am I intune with His desires for me? He must be first. And so once again, greeting the Lord on this new day, I need to ask the Lord to lead and guide me this day to serve Him and that His will be done through me. May others see that I am not my own but living for Jesus.
I cannot come to the banquet, don’t trouble me now.
I have married me a wife, I bought me a cow.
I have fields and commitments that cost a pretty sum.
Pray hold me excused, I cannot come.
A certain man held a banquet on his fine estate in town.
He laid a festive table and he wore a wedding gown.
He sent invitations to his neighbors far and wide,
But when the meal was ready, each of them replied;
I cannot come.
Chorus
The master rose up in anger, called his servant by name;
Said: “Go into the town, fetch the blind and the lame.
Fetch the peasant and the pauper, for this I have willed.
My banquet must be crowded, and my table must be filled.
Chorus
When all the poor had assembled, there was still room to spare,
So the master demanded: “Go search everywhere.
To the highways and the byways and force them to come in.
My table must be filled before the banquet can begin.
I cannot come.
Chorus
Now God has written a message for the rest of the mankind.
If you’re slow a responding, he may leave you behind.
He’s preparing a banquet for that great and glorious day.
When the Lord and Master calls us, be certain not to say;
I cannot come.
Chorus
Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth:
Make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.