Jump Start # 221

Luke 14:16-17 “But He said to him, “A man was giving a big dinner, and he invited many; and at the dinner hour he sent his slave to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come; for everything is ready now.’”

  Our verse today begins the parable of the dinner guests. It’s a fascinating story. A wealthy man plans a large party. We know the man was wealthy for several reasons. First, he had slaves and is later called, ‘Master.’ Second, he gave a big dinner—that costs! Thirdly, he invited many. Those that have planned a wedding on a tight budget understand the need to ‘keep the number’ of guests down. Not this man, he’s invited many.

  What happened in the first century social circles is so different than the way we do things. Today, we’d plan a get together, tell our friends to come on Friday night at 7:00 pm and all would be set. It didn’t work that way in the days of Jesus. It was hard to know exactly when the food would be ready. Without electric ovens, microwaves and all that we have, the precise hour a banquet began could not be stated. So the host would invite guests for a specific day. They would accept. The day of the party, servants would cook and cook and get things ready. When it was getting close, word would be sent that all things were ready and the guests could come.

  In this story, the guests, have had a change of heart. They have already accepted the invitation. They know the day of the party. But when word is sent that it is time, they back out and they give excuses. The reasons they give are weak.

  The first man said he bought some land and must go see it. First, who buys land sight unseen? Second, the banquets were generally in the evenings and night. He would not be able to see the land.

  The next man, claimed he bought some oxen and must try them. Again, this would not happen. A person would test the oxen first, and then buy them. The oxen could be diseased, weak or broken down. A person would test them first, and then buy.

  The third man stated that he had married a wife and cannot come. This is most troubling to me. Did he get married that day? He knew of the party, he had already accepted. If he was married before this, bring your wife.

  Three excuses. They involve wealth, work and family. All three failed to show up at the banquet. The master was angry. He sent his servants to invite the most unlikely people—the lame, the blind and the poor. These folks would never expect to find themselves at a banquet like this master was offering. These people are often neglected, overlooked and struggle just to survive. Fine food, nice music and good times is something foreign to this crowd. The poor, lame and blind beg. Back then, there was  no disability funds coming in. There was no government help. They lived by the generosity of others. A few coins here and a few scraps of food there. But to get a meal and at the Master’s house is something they never dreamed of.  Those that failed to show up had wealth about them. They bought land and oxen. But they missed out. They missed because they didn’t come. Sometimes that happens at church, doesn’t it? A feast of encouragement and lessons are missed by those who don’t show up. This parable is not about church, but salvation. It is offered to all, including those many of us would not have anything to do with. God loves all. When some refuse, God finds those who will accept.

   These three who failed to come had lame excuses. Sometimes we can do the same. The real reason they didn’t come to the feast was not land, oxen and marriage, they just didn’t want to. When a person doesn’t want something, any excuse is good enough. It sure makes us look in the mirror doesn’t it? We’ve offered lame excuses for not doing what we ought to, and generally it is because we just don’t feel like it.

  God has prepared a feast for you. It’s out of this world. It’s better than you have ever had before. It’s salvation from your sins. It is a future with him. It is living with a purpose right now. How important is this to you? Will you accept? To accept is to commit. Some say yes, and then find an excuse not to stick with it. The master didn’t force these three with excuses to come. It was their loss. Jesus knocks, we must open. He offers to forgive, we must be baptized. He wants you in Heaven, but you must walk with Him and in the direction He goes.

  This passage also tells us why some won’t be saved. Generally, it’s not some big and detailed issue. No, it’s much more simplistic. It comes down to land, oxen and marriage. It comes down to not really wanting what the Master offers.

  He’s invited you to His banquet. Are you going? I am.

Roger