Come to my banquet (Luke 14b)*

Come to my banquet!

Luke 14:15-24*

Key verse – Luke 14:23 “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.”

Introduction:

Jesus and his disciples were invited to the home of a very prominent Pharisee. There were many guests and the food was very good.

Such a great feast is desired by many because it is an occasion where one can not only enjoy food to his satisfaction, but also good fellowship, having a clear sense of being united with others in love and truth.

During this meal, Jesus taught the host and other guests  how a feast might serve its proper purpose: providing the happiest moments for all attendants. The invitees were to be humble and should find the lowest seat and the host was to invite the poor, the lame, the crippled, and the blind, instead of only his friends and rich neighbors. If there was one such feast held, then there would be great joy, not only for the guests, but also the host as well. Suddenly one of the guests came to think of an example of this kind of feast and spoke up:

“Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God” (Luke 14:15b).

Israel held a few annual feasts, according to God’s ordinances. These feasts were the best times for the Israelite people as they remembered God’s wonderful works for them and their hope for God’s deliverance through the establishment of His kingdom. Even after Israel had lost their territory during their exile, they continued to enjoy these feasts, hoping and believing that God would soon restore His kingdom and that, when that time came, the feasts would be the best ones yet. So if all these people could attend the feast in the kingdom of God, that would be great, but that may not be the case. It is more than possible that some will surely miss this blessing. Who will fall out of this blessing? Who will be at the feast in the kingdom of God?

Jesus gave answers to all of these questions in a parable:

1.      A certain man and his banquet (Luke 14:16-20)

Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests” (Luke 14:16).

This parable is about a certain man preparing for a great banquet who invited many guests. [This activity is not described as an event that has already finished but as an ongoing event.]

When the banquet was fully prepared,  he sent his servant to tell the invited guests to come.

The first one responded this way:

‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’ (Luke 14:18b).

In the ancient time, there were no bonds or stocks to invest in order to secure one’s personal assets. A piece of land was the best choice for financial security, because it would be a constant source for many supplies needed for everyday living, such as harvests of grains, fruits, and vegetables. This is also where he could herd cattle, sheep, and chickens. For this man, this opportunity to buy a large piece of land might have been a once–in-a-lifetime event. So, even though he knew how important the banquet invitation was, he decided to make excuses to the servant, hoping for another opportunity to come along in the future.

The second man responded in a similar fashion:

“Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’” (Luke 14:19).

This must have been a rich man and he must have owned a large piece of land, which needed cultivating. That is why he needed to buy five yoke of oxen, so that he could use them for plowing, pulling, and threshing. From an agricultural standpoint, oxen are a very valuable possession, almost as important as a piece of land. This man’s mind was so focused on these things that he excused himself from the banquet and went to try out his new oxen instead.

How did the third guest respond?

“Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’” (Luke 14:20).

Marriage is the most cheerful and celebrated occasion in one’s life. It is experienced only once in a couple’s lifetime, so it is important to have the honeymoon time together. Just as the wedding is an emblem of joy and happiness, so is the honeymoon. It is a time of utmost joy, provided for man by God. This man was very sure of his decision to decline the invitation and said “I cannot come”; there were no second thoughts or reservations at all in this decision.

Though each of these excuses is sound and reasonable, these invited guests could not hide or ignore the fact that they all valued their business more than the banquet or its host. The banquet was fully prepared; the soup, steaks, bread, pasta, and wine were ready, but no one showed up. When the host’s servant reported this to him, he responded:  

“The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry” (Luke 14:21a).

The host was good friends with the people he invited and loved them and cared for them. He prepared everything for their benefit, and for their blessing, a blessing they never knew before. It was out of his love and care for them and his desire to establish them as his confidants in his household. But to his great dismay, all of them refused to come. He felt a great sense of anger, pain, rejection, and disappointment.

2.      Fill the banquet (Luke 14:21-23)

“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.’” (Luke 14:21b).

The owner of the house decided to send his servant to go out into the streets and alleys and invite those he found hanging around to attend his banquet and fill his house.

These people on the streets were complete strangers, or at least had very little relationship with the owner of the house. Many of them were poor, crippled, blind, and lame. These kinds of people were not the ones whom the master had in mind to invite. In many ways, they were far inferior in their character, quality, morality, or ethics to the taste of the owner.

As we noted earlier, this banquet was only by RSVP; it was for a particular group of people who were well-qualified to the master’s taste. Now he had had to change his plan swiftly in order fill the banquet. Regardless of their condition, he wanted to bring them in and bless them abundantly, sharing all his blessings with them. These were humble people, who would gladly accept and appreciate the invitation. So though they were unprepared for the banquet - they were not dressed properly, didn’t take a shower and were very smelly - and they do not fit the honor of the host, in order fill the banquet, the host decided to welcome them.

Though the people on the street had no previous relationship with the owner, they were so happy to be invited to the banquet because they needed blessing and joy, so they just got up, followed the servant and attended the banquet. They are so thankful for this great banquet and came as they were invited; none raised any questions and all were very happy that they could attend this great banquet.

Though all of them came to the banquet, there was still a problem. The servant who was in charge of the banquet reported this to the owner:

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

Still large part of the room were empty and needed to be filled. This concerned the master of the house. So he says this:

“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.’” (Luke 14:22-23).

The master told his servant to go out farther to the roads and country lanes. Though the servant had swept through all the city streets and alleys and all that were invited had come, still the banquet was not even half filled, but there were no more people who were willing to come from the city. So this servant was told to go to the places he had not gone yet -  into the country lanes and roads leading to other countries. The owner of the house was determined to fill the banquet with anyone who was willing to come. Also in order to make sure that the banquet should be completely filled, he was to do more than just invite people. The servant was to compel people to come and attend the master’s banquet. Here, the word ‘compel’ connotes the application of some force. The servant was given some power to compel even those who were ignorant of this blessing, even total strangers and skeptics, the reluctant men, to come. It is good to know what the owner of the house was thinking even going this far in order to invite people.

3.      Jesus, the servant and the banquet master in the kingdom of God (Luke 14:24)

So far, Jesus had spoken to them only in a parable. What he meant to say in this parable is here:

“I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet. ”” (Luke 14:24).

Jesus gave this parable as an answer to the question about who could join the feast in the kingdom of God. So this parable was about that banquet. In order to understand what Jesus was saying more precisely through this parable, it is good to carefully examine it; here, a certain man refers to the one who was preparing for the feast. There was also the owner of the house who was also  called the master or lord. There was also a servant who obeyed the master’s command faithfully from the beginning to the end of this parable. In the end, Jesus declared that the banquet was his. Through this, we can discern that the certain man was not the owner of the house but was just preparing for the banquet, on behalf of the owner of the house. Since Jesus said that this is his banquet, that certain man that was preparing for the banquet is also Jesus, in addition to likely being the servant of the owner. Having identified all these characters, what did Jesus mean by saying that this was his banquet?

a.      You think I look like an ordinary man,, so you took my message lightly and even rejected my invitation. But I am that certain man and am preparing for the greatest banquet, the banquet in the kingdom of God.

b.      I have also come as the servant of the owner of the house, the Lord, in order to deliver the invitation to the banquet in His house.

c.       I am carrying out the Lord’s order to invite even such people as the blind, the lame, the crippled, and the poor from the streets and alleys, from roads, and countries.

d.      Finally, I will be the banquet master who will hold the banquets in the kingdom of God.

What does this teach us?

Rejecting Jesus’ invitation is serious.

Here, Jesus stated in very strong terms: “I tell you”. When one says, “I tell you”, we should not miss what he says. Also, there is a great emphasis on negative, “not one of those”. This is the strongest term to say that if one rejects Jesus’ invitation, they can never know, understand, taste, or enter the kingdom of God.

For the first man, his land was greatly hindering him from attending the banquet. For the second man, five yokes of oxen. They were the ongoing source of the supply for their lives. Many things in our lives may trap us or delude us into thinking that these things are more important than Jesus’ invitation. This could be our job, school, or whatever we possess or would like to possess. They are heavily oriented in worldly success. More often than not, our desire for success and to secure our wellbeing in this world distracts us from Jesus’ invitation for the best blessing. As these men did, they looked like honest and innocent decisions; there didn’t seem to be any hostility or ill-conceived ideas, but the outcome is grim. These people missed the best and the last opportunity to taste the greatest banquet and the best happiness that we all have been looking for. Have you made excuses to Jesus’ invitation? Make sure that you are not making excuses in order to buy a land or test five oxen! Our attachment and desire for worldly goods is so strong, so benign, and so innocent that we often do not think twice as we make such a choice. Do not go to buy land or to test your oxen!

The third foolish guest was a little different. He went on a honeymoon. He pursued his happiness with his wife. It is right to do so and a honeymoon may be the best occasion that we can find on this earth, but it is never supposed to be a goal or the ultimate means of true happiness. Nowadays so many families are fractured. There are various reasons behind. But one of the most important reasons is the belief that one’s relationship in marriage is the best place for happiness, and that marriage should deliver the best happiness that we can find. So it is heart-breaking that a husband and wife relationship would become their first priority, making them decline or even reject Jesus’ invitation for true and perfect blessing. Simply the harmonious relationship between husband and wife in marriage cannot deliver the happiness that we can have in the banquet in the kingdom of God. Actually, marriage may give provide insight for the need of joy at that banquet. It is a foolish and fatal mistake to say no to Jesus’ invitation in order to pursue the joy of marriage. Even in the best marriage, it can never deliver the kind of joy and happiness that Jesus wants to impart to attendants of his banquet! So, again, whenever Jesus calls us to come, marriage should not get in the way; we must get up and go! Do not make excuses!

Then what will the taste of Jesus’ banquet be like?

It is the true joy for all men. Attending Jesus’ banquet, in the literal sense, points to the banquet that he will hold when he comes to rule on the earth. So, the feast of the kingdom of God is an eschatological event that will come in time. However, it is also described in a figurative sense, because the feast is an occasion whereby one enjoys a celebration, eating to enjoy life and to fellowship with the Lord. This fellowship is highlighted in the parable’s conclusion:

““I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.”” (Luke 14:24).

Jesus did not say that none of those invited could attend his banquet, which places the focus on the banquet itself. Instead, he said that none of them could get a taste of his banquet. Jesus was not just pointing to a particular time of this banquet, but also addressing the best quality of the banquet that they were missing; this surely meant that they were going to miss the eschatological event, the feast at the kingdom of God. It also could be alluding to the utmost joy that the banquet would provide. So the focus is really on the joy found in the banquet. Though the banquet  we will all attend is yet to come, Jesus offers to all the taste of that banquet even now.

How good would this be? Peter tasted the kingdom of God at the mountain during Jesus’ transfiguration. At the announcement of Jesus’ will to suffer and die on the cross, the disciples were greatly shocked and dismayed. To them, Jesus said this:

"Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:27).

Instead of tasting death, Jesus wanted to give them a taste of the kingdom of God. Jesus took three of his disciples and there he was transfigured in glory and  Moses and Elijah appeared with him. Seeing this glorious scene, Peter was so happy that he confessed this:

“As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, "Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters-- one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah."” (Luke 9:33).

There are a few different Greek words that can be translated as the English word ‘good’, but here, the word ‘good’ is the same Greek word used to express God’s word in Genesis 1,  the perfect good that God expressed at the end of all of His creation work. What I mean is that joy and happiness is the same ’perfect’ good Peter tasted when he experienced a glimpse of the kingdom of God. It was so good that Peter wanted to stay there permanently by building three shelters. I had great joy when my daughter married. I have had many moments of joy in my own marriage as well, plus many joyous moments in my life, including getting a great job, getting a bonus in pay, and great vacations. But none of these can be compared to the joy found in the kingdom of God.

What will it be like? Who will be there and what kind of atmosphere? Though we have a very limited understanding, there are a few things we are sure about; there will be many who will come from the east and west, and  Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, (Matthew 11) Moses, Elijah (Luke 10), and many warriors of the faith (Hebrews 11) will be there. In addition, there will be numerous angels. There will be great music and songs of praise. God’s glory will fill the entire place like very precious jewels - jasper and clear crystal, with numerous angels singing (Revelation 21). The occasion will be a wedding banquet with the bride, Jesus, and numerous  believers present. There will be no tears and no worries of death. There won’t be any lingering sorrows, pain, doubts, or anxiety for unresolved issues in life. This feast will be a time of perfect joy and perfect happiness. This is the feast that God prepares for His people and it will be the best and greatest feast that  man can attend.

Jesus also offers us the opportunity to have this same fellowship:

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” (Revelation 3:20).

As the word ‘banquet’ describes the occasion whereby one can have all aspects of “the blessed joy” of fellowship, so here, Jesus offers us the same kind of fellowship with him. In this fellowship, our physical and relational needs are fully satisfied.

We can foretaste the joy of that banquet through our Bible studies, prayer meetings, and worship services. Don’t be hung up on business that has only temporal significances. Get up and come to Bible study and worship service. No human affair is more important than this banquet, so just get up and come;  No one should be foolish enough to decline Jesus’ invitation for the banquet, the greatest joy in fellowship that we can have.

4.      Jesus invites everyone, even the lame, the poor, the blind, and the crippled

(These are figurative terms used in the prophecies to denote spiritual invalids, as well as physical ones).

“See, I will bring them from the land of the north and gather them from the ends of the earth. Among them will be the blind and the lame, expectant mothers and women in labor; a great throng will return.” (Jeremiah 31:8 NIV).

The poor is those who do not have much. No money, no talent, no education, no skills, no passion, no hope, nothing that one can count on in himself or herself. Yet, don’t worry! Jesus invites you and he wants you to be at that feast, the feast that he will hold in the kingdom of God.

The blind is the one who cannot see. You have no spiritual insight and no understanding of God, the world, or life. You do not know where your life is going, where the world is going, why so many things are happening in your life, but that’s ok. Jesus also invites you to that banquet in the kingdom of God.

The lame is the one who cannot walk because of a problem with his or her leg. Such a one may say “I am verbally challenged,, physically challenged, intellectually challenged, or psychologically challenged.”  

The Crippled is the one who has other physical disabilities so that they  cannot function as normal people do. Many are crippled or lamed by many traumas of life, by fear or anxiety or distrust, bad habits, intense ungodly desires, bursts of anger, etc. Even you, Jesus is inviting to that feast. It is the will of God the Father.

These are all ill-effects of sin. No matter how ugly and ungodly they might be, God is ready to welcome and embrace sinners as His children again. This is the reason for  the banquet that God has been eager to hold for all of His creation.

God told His servant, Jesus, to compel people to come.

By the ill effects of sin, mankind not only became invalids, but also developed hearts of indolence and skepticism. So a simple call of blessing may not be enough to persuade them; thus, the master of the house told the servant to compel them. How did Jesus compel people to come to the banquet? It is well-illustrated in what he did to two of his disciples as they were heading to Emmaus. Jesus, in disguise, appeared to them and explained to them about his own recent death, from the Scriptures. Instead of revealing that he was Jesus, the one that had died on the cross, he also wanted to be understood according the teaching of the Scriptures. So Jesus, as a stranger, taught these two disciples, beginning with Moses and going through all the prophets (Luke 24:27). The focus of his teaching was that the Christ had to suffer these things and then enter his glory (Luke 24:26).

These two people spoke of this experience in this way:

“They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”” (Luke 24:32).

These two disciples came to have a firm understanding of the message behind Jesus’ crucifixion. Previously, they had considered it as just a gruesome death and beyond their comprehension, but Jesus explained what the crucifixion meant through the Scriptures. Later, they literally said that Jesus ‘opened’ the scripture to us’. The word of God has power and the most powerful word is Jesus. The most powerful message in Jesus’ life was his death on the cross to forgive all sinners. It was all out of God’s love for sinners. When these words are opened to the minds of people with ‘ignorant or blinded and sinful hearts’, they are compelled to come to the banquet.

Jesus will hold the great banquet in the kingdom of God. He is inviting all, even the poor, the blind, the lame, and the cripple. He is even compelling the hearts of the skeptics and the indolent with his love, the best love for all sinners. So get up and come to the banquet that Jesus offers to you.