The Great Invitation

When we read the gospels we find many places where Jesus either attends a feast or gives one. We’re all familiar with the time when He fed 5000 with two fishes and five loaves of bread. But, do we also know that He did this more than once? Also, did you know that the very first miracle that Jesus performed was at a great feast? So, Jesus was no stranger to feasts.

When we read the gospels we find there are quite a few times where Jesus is either attending a feast or giving. We’re all familiar with the time when Jesus fed 5000 with two fishes and five loaves of bread. But, do you know that this wasn’t the only time that He fed thousands of people? Also, did you know that Jesus’ very first miracle was performed a feast? So, Jesus was no stranger to great feasts.

This is why it shouldn’t come as a shock to us that He would use this setting to teach an important lesson on salvation. The invitees in our story were a lot like Israel. Isreal had received an invitation to be God’s people under Moses. Now they were being given a second invitation by Christ. However, what they didn’t know was their rejection of this invitation would result in them losing their place in the kingdom forever. In other words, there would be no third or fourth chance.

They didn’t realize the sheer magnitude of the invitation they were being given (). This man was pointing out the blessedness of eating bread in the kingdom of God. He speaking specifically about that great feast the Bible calls the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (). Everyone wants to be a part of that event, and many assume that they will. However, Jesus shows us that if you are rejecting this meal, you will never taste of that great supper because this is the feast gets you ready to see God ()! When you reject this invitation not only will you not see God, but you will not escape His judgment (, ).

It’s not meat and drink that’s being served in the kingdom. Instead, it’s salvation, joy, peace, sanctification, etc.

Why would people reject such a great invitation? Well, let’s ask them...

This man was pointing out the blessedness of eating at the table of that Great Feast IN HEAVEN. In the Bible this feast is called the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (). No doubt everyone wants to be a part of that event. However, Jesus will show us that to be a part of that supper, you must be partaking of this dinner. This feast gets you ready to see God (). His flesh is the word of God and His blood is His life (nature).

First of all, there’s nothing fundamentally wrong or sinful with these excuses. The problem lies in the fact that these men were placing earthly things above spiritual things. Moreover, this inability to properly direct our priorities is what keeps so many from becoming true disciples ().

The first excuse we see comes from a man who has just purchased a field. He says, “I must needs go and see it: please have me excused.” In other words, this thing I’m doing is important. In fact, it is too important for me to leave right now.

How many times have we declined an opportunity to partake of His word because there was something else that is more important to us?

Why would people

The second excuse we see comes from a man who has just purchased five yoke of oxen. This man says, “I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.” In other words, he doesn’t say that something more important is pulling him away. Instead, he simply states that there is something he wants to do more than attend this feast.

How many times have we refused time with God because there was something we simply wanted more than what He was offering?

This last excuse comes from a man who has recently married a wife. He says to the servant, “I cannot come.” In other words, things are outside of my control. There is something else, or in this case someone else, who has more control and influence over me than God.

I want to just speak to this for a moment. There are far too many spouses who are having a negative influence over their husband or wife. Your marriage relationship must never displace your relationship with God (; , ).

Basically, people who are unmarried aren’t distracted from God. Paul is not giving permission to people who are married to be distracted from God. He’s simply stating that those who are married have a tendency to distract their mates. But, as he states in verse 29, this shouldn’t be (). You are not to demand your own way to the point that you keep your spouse from doing the will of God. For example, some wives will demand that their husbands follow them instead of following their husbands. This is a distraction and the spirit of Jezebel (; ; )!

Whether your excuse is material things, business or relationships understand that God does not look kindly on them. In fact, He’s angered by them (). Through this parable Jesus was teaching them that the Father was becoming increasingly angry with the Jews because of their rejection of Jesus’ message to partake of His word.

This parable also teaches us that this invitation from God is not a standing invitation. It is time sensitive. Meaning, it is given only for a season. So, if you reject it God will withdraw it and give it to another! He is not going to postpone it to accommodate your schedule. God will go on WITHOUT YOU!

This is a GREAT invitation. It is great because it will be the thing that ultimately causes us to see God. It is great because of the one giving it—God. It’s great because when it’s withdrawn there will not be another!

How does God ‘compel’ the poor to attend? Well, typically the poor would consider themselves unworthy of such an event. Therefore, may be God convinces them to God by making them feel worthy (meet) to partake of His feast ().

As for those who reject God’s invitation, they will suffer the penalty (). “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?

This verse represents the great invitation ().

These verses teach us that we do not come to the banquet (kingdom) to gain status. Those who enter the kingdom (accept the invitation) must do so with humility.

Excuses

These verses teach us that we do not simply target family and friends (people who will feel will return the favor). Sometimes we only look at how we can benefit from having certain persons attend the banquet (give our party/church more popularity or give it more excitement). We do not invite because of what they might add to the feast, but for what the feast might add to them!

“I cannot come” — outside of my control (unable). In other words, there is something that has more control over you than God.

This man was pointing out the blessedness of eating at the table of that Great Feast IN HEAVEN. In the Bible this feast is called the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (). No doubt everyone wants to be a part of that event. However, Jesus will show us that to be a part of that supper, you must be partaking of this dinner. This feast gets you ready to see God (). His flesh is the word of God and His blood is His life (nature).

This reminds us that not everyone is rejecting God because of the cost. Some people are rejecting Him because of the pay. What God is offering is just not as valuable to them as the things in the world!

This verse represents the great invitation (John 7:37).

First Invitation

This invitation is time sensitive. In other words, it is not a standing invitation. The men in the parable sound as if they will come if the Master is willing to wait until there’s a more convenient time. The invitation is NEVER given when it’s convenient for you! Because God wants to see if you will put Him before everything and everyone else.

Second Invitation

Excuses

BTW “streets and lanes” are public roads within the city. As for “highways and hedges” they represent public roads outside the city. Moreover, these are places you are likely to find people who have no homes (poor). The poor cannot find wives. The blind cannot see fields and the lame cannot prove oxen!

Furthermore, they do not need advance notice (2 invitations).

“I must go” — something is more important. In other words, there is something more important to you than God.

“I am going” — something I want (my choice). In other words, there is something you want more than God.

This parable was a stern warning that God was becoming increasingly angry with the Jews and that they were in danger of being replaced. With how many of us is God becoming increasingly angry? What is that “thing” that is standing in your way and keeping you from accepting God’s invitation?

“I cannot come” — outside of my control (unable). In other words, there is something that has more control over you than God.

This reminds us that not everyone is rejecting God because of the cost. Some people are rejecting Him because of the pay. What God is offering is just not as valuable to them as the things in the world!

First Invitation

This invitation is time sensitive. In other words, it is not a standing invitation. The men in the parable sound as if they will come if the Master is willing to wait until there’s a more convenient time. The invitation is NEVER given when it’s convenient for you! Because God wants to see if you will put Him before everything and everyone else.

These verses teach us that we do not come to the banquet (kingdom) to gain status. Those who enter the kingdom (accept the invitation) must do so with humility.

Second Invitation

These verses teach us that we do not simply target family and friends (people who will feel will return the favor). Sometimes we only look at how we can benefit from having certain persons attend the banquet (give our party/church more popularity or give it more excitement). We do not invite because of what they might add to the feast, but for what the feast might add to them!

BTW “streets and lanes” are public roads within the city. As for “highways and hedges” they represent public roads outside the city. Moreover, these are places you are likely to find people who have no homes (poor). The poor cannot find wives. The blind cannot see fields and the lame cannot prove oxen!

Furthermore, they do not need advance notice (2 invitations).

This parable was a stern warning that God was becoming increasingly angry with the Jews and that they were in danger of being replaced. With how many of us is God becoming increasingly angry? What is that “thing” that is standing in your way and keeping you from accepting God’s invitation?

These verses teach us that we do not come to the banquet (kingdom) to gain status. Those who enter the kingdom (accept the invitation) must do so with humility.

These verses teach us that we do not simply target family and friends (people who will feel will return the favor). Sometimes we only look at how we can benefit from having certain persons attend the banquet (give our party/church more popularity or give it more excitement). We do not invite because of what they might add to the feast, but for what the feast might add to them!

This man was pointing out the blessedness of eating at the table of that Great Feast IN HEAVEN. In the Bible this feast is called the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (). No doubt everyone wants to be a part of that event. However, Jesus will show us that to be a part of that supper, you must be partaking of this dinner. This feast gets you ready to see God (). His flesh is the word of God and His blood is His life (nature).

The Great Invitation

Something Else Is More Important

There’s Something Else I Want More

Something/Someone Else Has More Influence/Control