Daily Devotions – The Great Banquet

Daily Devotions – The Great Banquet

Image by Michael Schwarzenberger from Pixabay

 

Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart: X

 

Luke 14:15-24 (NIV)
The Parable of the Great Banquet
15 When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.” 16 Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. 17 At the time of the banquet, he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ 18 “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.’ 19 “Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’ 20 “Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’ 21 “The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry 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.’ 22 “‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’ 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. 24 I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’”

 

In this parable, who are the invited guest?
Why don’t they attend?

 

Gracious God, Your heavenly banquet does not selectively include one nation of people, or the most elite, but you invited the poor, sick, broken and sinners.  I imagine that they were brought inside, cared for, cleaned, and fitted with new clothes. As they sat in the presence of the master, He announced that he is adopting them into his very own family. Lord, thank You that I am one of those broken poor sinful needy people that You invited to share in the life-giving banquet. You have brought me from a place of deep need into Your house, and into Your very own family. You have welcomed me, cared for me, cleaned me and transformed my life. Don’t let my possessions, work, or family get in the way of my relationship with You. Don’t let complacency, ingratitude or comfort dull my gratitude for the amazing love You demonstrated through the death and resurrection of Jesus. Thank You for inviting me to Your great banquet. Amen.