Let’s Eat

Who doesn’t enjoy eating! It is hard to resist the invitation to a feast of deliciousness. Eating and enjoying the fellowship of family, friends and neighbors is a favorite pastime of everyone. Hungry for something specific, you can most likely find a restaurant or eatery that serves it.

The Kill

As a child living on a farm, my grandfather would kill a hog in the fall. The process of preparing the hog for the pit was long and tedious for the men. Once on the pit, it took hours to cook the whole hog. As it cooked, the smell would make all of us so hungry. When it was almost finished cooking, the cooks would pull us off some crisp and tasty skins to snack on while we waited to eat. My grandmother would be in the kitchen preparing the sides and when the meal was ready, everyone was called to come. How special those times were for me.

Many Invited

Luke 14:16-17, NCSB, “Then He (Jesus) told him, ‘A man was giving a large banquet and invited many. At the time of the banquet, he sent his slave to tell those who were invited, ‘come, because everything is now ready.’”

Jesus tells a parable to the Pharisees of whom He was a guest. In verse 16, the invited were many. A large crowd was invited to this feast. This invitation is free. All you need to bring is yourself and your appetite. The people are invited to eat at his expense. Then the man sent word to the people invited to come that the table was set and all the food prepared. The people invited need not do anything, but come eat and enjoy. A fabulous feast was prepared of which we can only imagine. 

Excuses, excuses!

Luke 14:18-20, NCSB, “But without exception they began to make excuses. The first one said to him, ‘I have bought a field and I must go out to see it. I ask you to excuse me.’ Another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m going to try them out. I ask you to excuse me.’ And another said, ‘I just got married and therefore I am unable to come.’”

All the invited guests had excuses and refused to attend the feast. Such foolish excuses were given not to attend the feast that they had previously said they would. The first excuse was about the man’s love of property. He had no time for God. The second man treasured his possessions and work. The third man idolized his wife.

Make Them Come In

Luke 14:21-23, NCSB, “So the slave came back and reported these things to the master. Then in anger the master of the house told the slave, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the city and bring in here the poor, maimed, blind and lame!’ ‘Master,’ the slave said, ‘what you ordered has been done , and there’s still room.’ Then the master told the slave, ‘Go out into the highways and lanes and make them come in, so that my house may be filled. For I tell you not one of those men who were invited will enjoy my banquet.

The truth is that the people who accepted the invitation to the banquet definitely could have come up with an excuse. Possibly, I don’t have nice clothes, I can’t walk very well or I haven’t showered. They came because they were hungry. 

The Invitation

This story Jesus told is really about the invitation Jesus gives to each of us to come feast with Him. He is offering a feast for all who are hungry for His saving grace. His invitation is for everyone. Revelation 7:9, “there was a great multitude from every nation tribe people and language which no one could number.” There will be many at the feast Jesus offers. It is free. All we must do is accept the invitation to come. 

The Invitation is Open

The  men’s excuses were not sinful in and of themselves. It is not a sin to own property, animals or love your spouse, but when we allow these things to come before God, then we are living in sin. People do and will refuse to accept the invitation of Christ. The host gets angry because it is rude to refuse an invitation from the Master. The table is set, the feast prepared and all we must do is accept the invitation given. Jesus died for our sins that we might enjoy the feast that He has prepared for us. The invitation is open to anyone and everyone. 

The one thing that will keep someone from the feast Jesus is preparing for us is our belief that we are good enough and do not have a need for Him. 

The Marriage Feast of the Lamb

Revelation 19:9, NCSB, “Then he said to me, “Write: Those invited to the marriage feast of the Lamb are fortunate!”

God is preparing a feast for those who accept His invitation. That is, those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Some would argue it is not a literal feast, but I choose to think it is a literal banquet with Jesus. Can you imagine the deliciousness of the food prepared for this banquet? Whatever is served will be perfectly prepared and we will enjoy each bite, but the special thing about this feast is the presence of Jesus. 

You are invited! The invitation is in your heart. All you need to do is accept it! Just say Yes, Lord, I will come!

https://youtu.be/M0AyxEMFRbI

https://youtu.be/M0AyxEMFRbI

With All I Am by  Hillsong

Paula Wallace

additional reading:

Prepare our Hearts

https://www.treadingwatertiljesuscomes.com/2019/05/24/prepare-our-hearts/