Feast

But he said to him, "A man once gave a great banquet and invited many. And at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, 'Come, for everything is now ready.' But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, 'I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please have me excused.' And another said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please have me excused.' And another said, 'I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.'  Luke 14:16-20

      Just a day or so ago, I was reading through the above passage when something new stood out to me. I realized that the excuses made by the invitees were legitimate excuses, not just a careless brushing off of the feast. Of course, since it was customary to extend invitations early and then a second invitation when all was prepared, we do see that these guests were rather careless in their commitment. They did not mark off the approximate day of the feast but instead went about their business without concern or regard for the invitation.  Still, as we all know life goes on, things come up, and plans change.

     With that in mind, the three excuses mentioned seem really quite reasonable, especially when we consider that two of them pertain to making a living. One man apparently had an obligation to see to a field he had purchased, presumably for planting in order to have food and an income. The other had made an investment in oxen, which were needed for plowing, tilling, and other farm work that was necessary to provide his bread. It seems natural that the pressing needs of provision for one's family would rank higher than an invitation to a party.

     The third man had married a wife, and he was also within Jewish legal bounds, for Deuteronomy 24:5 states that, "When a man is newly married, he shall not go out with the army or be liable for any other public duty. He shall be free at home one year to be happy with his wife whom he has taken." So this man, while not obligated by his business, had a solid reason to stay home with his new wife.

     The problem is not, then, that these guests were brushing their host off for trivial matters. Indeed, they each had matters of great importance to see to. The problem is that this was no ordinary banquet. This parable is told using the banquet as symbol for the Kingdom of God, for the Teller of the tale was always preoccupied with the will of His Father and the glory of His Kingdom. The invited guests in this story were blind to the significance of the Feast, and so by their absorbtion in their earthly lives--jobs, material possessions, the pursuit of happiness--that they politely declined the invitation. Let's take a look at the response of the giver of the feast:

 

So the servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, 'Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.' And the servant said, 'Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.' And the master said to the servant, 'Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.'   Luke  14:21-24

     The host, it seems, is not amused by their casual passing over of his carefully prepared and lavish feast. He in turn rejects them and sends instead for the "nobodies," those who have nothing to give, who are rejected and despised because they have no livelihood, who are likely unwashed and uneducated concerning the Law. These who may have never attended any feast will probably have deep gratitude for the amazing act of mercy bestowed upon them.

     The attitude of the first invitees reminds me of the story of Mary and Martha. Mary was sitting and listening to Jesus while Martha was making preparations for dinner. She became frustrated and asked Him to rebuke Mary for not helping her. Jesus replied, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one things is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion which will not be taken away from her," (see Luke 10:38-42). Those who find themselves busy with their affairs may not wish to "waste" time simply celebrating at the Lord's table. However, those who accept have chosen the good portion.
   
     If we think carefully about it, this parable of the great banquet offers both warning and encouragement. We are warned that we must not for any reason, however momentous it may seem at the time, neglect the Lord's invitation. It is not dining with Him that is a waste of time, but pursuing that which He will gladly provide if we just trust in Him. We must also not assume that we can  join His Kingdom later but for now we have pressing matters to tend, for we do not know if there will be a later. As J. Harold Smith reminds us, we cannot count on accepting at the 11th hour because we might die at 10:30. Instead, if we receive that invitation, we should humble ourselves and realize that we are poor, blind, and lame, gladly accepting His invitation and with joy flinging aside anything of seeming importance that tries to hold us back.

     For those who are among the spiritually maimed, who feel themselves too crippled, too filthy, too monstrous, or that their garments are too tattered and soiled to attend, it is encouraging to realize that no matter how low our state, the King still invites us to His table--we only need be willing to come. We must not let any spiritual or physical disease nor lack of proper garments keep us from Him, but we must come to Him just as we are. You see, He has invited us with full knowledge of our pitiful state, and He has provided His own righteousness in which to clothe the humble and the willing.

      If He is inviting you, friend, I urge you to accept eagerly with heartfelt gratitude, and to do so immediately. This Banquet is not one to be missed. There is no one so defiled that the sacrifice of the Christ cannot cover it, and so put on Christ with bliss, shrug off the chains of mediocrity that is all the world can offer you, and feast sumptuously with the King of kings, basking in His total forgiveness, acceptance, and love. Will you not accept the good portion that is offered?

Scripture quotations are from the ESV^® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version^®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.