BRING IN THE POOR, THE CRIPPLED…

Luke 14:15-24 / Keywords 14:23

Then the master told his servant, 'Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full.’

 

The Parable of the Great Banquet

14:15 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.”

16 Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. 17 At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’

18 “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.’

19 “Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’

20 “Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’

21 “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.’

22 “‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’

23 “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. 24 I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’”

1. Jesus’ instruction inspired one guest to express his interest in the feast in the kingdom of God. All agreed what a blessing that would be. Jesus wasn’t convinced. Instead, he told a story of guests invited to a great banquet. At first, they likely felt as the man did in verse 15: what a blessing to eat at the feast! But as time passed while preparing a perfect banquet, the guests became distracted by other things: one had just purchased property, another had a yoke of oxen, and a third had just gotten married. They all knew of the pending appointment and wanted to attend, but their practical and immediate interests took precedence over the invitation. They missed out, but this prompted the man to bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame, eventually opening the door to any who would come in, so that his banquet would be full.

 

2. This happened in history. God sent his Son to invite his people to the kingdom, but they were not interested. Jesus primarily ministered to the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame. God sent his servants like Paul to the world, eventually including us by God’s grace. As we await Jesus’ coming again, to eat at his table (22:16), let’s remember his grace of invitation. Instead of being distracted, let’s share it with others so God’s house may be full.

 

Prayer Father, thank you inviting me to your kingdom through Jesus. Help me overcome distraction and keep that banquet in mind.

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