Luke 14:18

New International Version

“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.’

For Meditation

Anybody who has put together a guest list for a wedding party can bear witness here. There is Cousin Sam and his annoying wife to invite; your best friend Fifi and the others; classmate Dinah, who reminds you of your ignorant days; colleague Anto you don’t care for, but cannot ignore; customer Konto you would never have shared a meal with, had he not been the premier buyer of your products; and the list goes on. Yes, you got it right. It is a nightmare, struggling and arguing with your fiancée to fit both families and friends onto a single list. You also have the table arrangements and seating to work through. Who sits where and how comfortable they would be without offense. After all the trouble, can you imagine each invitation coming back with excuses and apologies? You bet you will be angry!

That is precisely how the host of the Parable of the Great Banquet felt—angry (Lk. 14:21). If none of his guests cared to come, he did not mind filling the seats with “the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind” (21b). The food is sumptuous; the conversation would be lighter and unrehearsed, and the atmosphere would be delightful, anyway. The guests would be more appreciative because they know they are undeserving. Listening to their life stories would be a treat for the host, but what about the guests who did not show up? They will be sorry they denied themselves the opportunity (24).

If the Jews had listened carefully, they would have known what Jesus was implying. Only those who respond to the Gospel invitation will occupy the seats in the kingdom of God. Even though the invitation has gone to the nation of Israel, those who think they have good excuses to deny Jesus will find themselves shut out. Eventually, those seats will fill with the nation’s outcasts (21) and with those outside the covenant family—Gentiles—who positively respond to the Gospel (23).

The invitation into the kingdom of God is for everybody (Jn. 3:16; Matt. 11:28). Unfortunately, many are too busy for Jesus. While they are too busy with other things, the Banquet Hall is filling up. Some find Jesus offensive. Others find Him inconvenient. Many also claim they have security in their own religions. Yet others have immersed themselves in work and other philosophies so much that they do not have the time for Him.

Meanwhile, the only true God, Savior, and Judge of all the world is filling the seats with the foolish, weak, lowly, despised, and the nobodies of this world (1 Cor. 1:27-29). So, why don’t you throw away your excuses that will not hold before Him? What you did with the Gospel invitation is the only determinant of your eternal condition.

I pray you tarry no more, because Jesus will soon sit at the head of the table, the angels will shut the door to the kingdom, and the Lamb’s Wedding Feast will begin (Matt. 25:1-13). So, trade all you have for a seat in eternity with Jesus.

You who have come in already, rejoice for the grace that has saved you by faith (Eph. 2:8-9). Pray for those who are outside, that they may come to Jesus and receive life for their souls (Jn. 1:12-13; Rom. 10:9-10, 13; Acts 2:38; 4:12; 1 Tim. 2:5).

Pray with Me

Father, thank you for giving me a secure seat at your Son’s wedding feast in heaven. I pray for the unreached and those dragging their feet, that you will have mercy on them and let your Spirit condition their hearts for faith to believe for salvation. In Christ’s gracious name, amen.

Shalom