Open Invitation
Have you ever been invited to a party that you thought about not attending, but you made it anyway? How about when you got to that same party you actually enjoyed yourself? Or how about have you ever hosted a party and it turned out better than you had hoped? What about the times you missed a party that you really wished you had attended and heard it was great? Or maybe someone you had hoped would attend your party didn’t show up. If so then you will understand this blog very well.
In Luke 14:15-24, Jesus tells a parable about a rich man that holds a banquet, what we would call a party in our own terms. He explains how this man invited so many people that he knew. He sent his servants to ask certain ones to attend this great feast, but they all had excuses as to why they couldn’t come. One said he bought a field that he had to see about (verse 18). One other said that he bought some oxen so he wouldn’t be able to come. (verse19) Finally, one said that he had recently gotten married so he would like to be excused. (verse 20) After these various people declined to attend the servant reported back to the Master what they said. This angered the man who asked them to attend. What he does next will surprise some of us. He told the servant to go out and get those who were in the streets and the alleys. He said to bring in the poor, blind, crippled and lame so that his house would be full. (verse 21, 23) He also mentioned that those he had invited would not partake of the great banquet - even if they came to their senses or changed their minds. (verse 24)
What does this all mean? The Master is God. He is calling out to everyone to come to know Jesus as Savior and Lord. The thing is that there are so many people that tell him that right now isn’t the time for them to come in and feast with Him. These people who have decided not to come into salvation. The problem is that when you deny Christ, you miss out on that opportunity to draw closer to the Lord. Revelation 3:20 says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” (ESV) There is a grace period in which we have to come to know Jesus as Savior and Lord. Whether this time be at the Rapture or when you die, the time clock is running. No man knows the day or the hour in which He will return. (Matthew 24:36) Tomorrow is not promised to us.(James 4:13-15) God is calling us to Himself, but it's up to us to come to Him. He proclaimed directly in John 14:6, “Jesus Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. (ESV) When we realize the type of relationship that God wants to have with us, we see that His love for us runs so deeply we could never completely comprehend. (Ephesians 3:17-19)
Secondly, this passage I believe is talking to those of us who are believers that God is calling us to draw closer to Him. He wants to come into a more intimate relationship. He said if you draw nigh to Him, He will draw nigh to you. (James 4:8) This same verse tells us to cleanse our hands from sin and not to be double minded. There are times in which we want to go back to an old lifestyle that God has delivered us from. He wants to give you a life in abundance, but the only way we can receive it is through Jesus Christ. (John 10:10) We can become complacent or even have a drawback spirit from God. We get distracted from pushing to have a devotion that calls us to put Him first. In this we want to excuse ourselves. We will make time for everything else, but God. Despite everything that we could place before God, He still pursues us to Himself. Revelation 22:17 says, “The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.” (ESV) He is calling us. There is so much more that God wants to show us and give us when we come closer to Him. John 6:37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. (ESV)
Ultimately, what I want to encourage you to do is come to the Feast. The invitation is open. Don’t ignore the day of salvation. If you are a believer, redirect yourself to come closer to Him. He wants to be with you. So today, accept the invitation Jesus is extending to you today.
Let’s pray: Father God, as I come to You in prayer, I ask for You to forgive me for making excuses when you invite me to come and sup with You. Nothing is more important than my relationship with You. Help me never to deny the open invitation of Your love. Show me when I prioritize other things before my relationship with You. Give me the understanding that there is no better time than now to know You. Lord, if we don’t know You forgive my sins and cleanse me from all righteousness. Jesus, give me power by the Holy Spirit to listen and follow after You with my whole heart. I will now open the door for You to come in. When You ask me to come to the feast my answer will be yes.
Sinner’s Prayer: Lord, I confess that I am a sinner. I believe that Jesus is the Son. He died on the cross just for me. I also confess that He rose again on the 3rd day, paying my sin debt in full. He is now seated at the right hand of power, interceding for me to the Father for me. I thank You as I pray this prayer and believe with my heart that You have saved me. I receive Your love and commit my life to You. You are now the Lord of my life. Thank You for all that You have done and will do for me in the future. In Jesus name, Amen.
Scripture References: Luke 14:15-24, Revelation 3:20, James 4:13-15, Matthew 24:36, Ephesians 3:17-19, James 4:8, John 10:10, Revelation 22:17, John 6:3 - all in the English Standard version
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