"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. I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet." Luke 14:23-24 (NIV)
During the early 1920s, 1922 to be exact, America was prospering. It was a time of great wealth, status, and invention. F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby showcases this well, presenting the Prohibition era during the Jazz Age. As Nick Carraway recounts his experiences with Jay Gatsby, a poor man who became rich in his efforts to reinvent himself and the American dream, we learn two things:
1. The Pursuit of the American Dream May Be Possible, But It'll Leave Us Empty Inside.
2. Money Can't Buy You Happiness (or Friends for that matter).
What does this have to do with Jesus' words in Luke 14? Jesus ate at the home of a prominent Pharisee, but while He was there, He saw and healed a man in need. Instead of being applauded for this miracle, however, Jesus was questioned, condemned, and criticized. Notice how it's the rich and popular in Scripture who usually understood Jesus the least? After addressing this matter, however, Jesus then noticed an issue in the seating.
Verse 7 tells us that the guests chose to sit in the places of honor. Using this as an opportunity to teach, Jesus told them 2 parables:
1. Choosing to be humble at banquets (sitting in the lowest places rather than the seats of honor).
2. The urgency of being ready for Jesus' coming (the Great Banquet).
In the first parable, the lesson is simple: If you're invited to a banquet, don't think of yourself as more important than others. If you do, how embarrassing will it be when the host asks you to give up your seat for someone more important? Jesus adds a call to humble surrender here: "For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted" (Luke 14:11, NIV).
Jesus then goes on to explain that it's better to serve those who cannot repay you. For if you're only kind to and serve those who can repay you, you've already received your payment in full. It's better to serve those who cannot give you anything in return. Why? In doing so, you will store up treasures in Heaven.
In the second parable, the lesson is a bit more challenging and convicting. Not only does Jesus warn of the urgency of His coming banquet, but He also warns of the innate need to make it a priority in our lives.
When the coming of Jesus comes, we must be ready—this is why it's crucial to know salvation now and not put it off. It's also important that we make it a priority compared to other things in our lives, and not make excuses or get distracted.
After preparing a great feast and inviting many guests, this parable shows that too many things get in the way of our relationship with God.
For one man, it was property (Luke 14:18). For another, it was possessions (Luke 14:19). And yet another, it was people (Luke 14:20). While all three of these excuses included important people, places, and things, they shouldn't have mattered more than going to the King's banquet. The reality is that the land would still have been there. The animals could have waited. And the newlywed husband could have brought his wife to the great feast. Instead, each made excuses that they would come another time.
Friends, I hope that this parable is incredibly convicting for you. Jesus invites the poor, crippled, blind, and many others in need to this banquet because He wants those who know their need for Him to be in attendance. We must make our relationship with Him the most important thing (Luke 14:25-27), and our urgency to tell others about His saving grace a close second.
Let's pray:
Dear Jesus, you know how easily we can make excuses when it comes to our relationship with you and sharing that relationship with those around us. But Lord, please don't let this be so. Give us the boldness and courage to not only prioritize our relationship with you but share that gift of salvation with those around us. Now is the time, Lord. These parables remind us that life is a clock ticking, and we need to share you with the world while there is still time. We pray for every person who needs your salvation today, and we ask that you help us to make it a priority in our lives, too. Thank you for your everlasting grace, mercy, and love. Amen.
Agape, Amber
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/GaudiLab
Related Resource: Anxiety: Practical Steps for Healing in Christ
Anxiety is debilitating and can leave us feeling overwhelmed, alone, and defeated. But what if there were practical steps and biblical truths that could lessen the load and aid us in our freedom journeys with mental health struggles? Pastor and Licensed Professional Counselor Susan Thomas joins me to discuss this today! Like what you hear? Subscribe to Bought + Beloved with Kirby Kelly on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
Originally published Thursday, 17 April 2025.
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