The Great Invitation
Text: Luke 14:15-24
Friends, as I look at Sunday’s passage, I see these exciting things.
Exegetical Theme: In this passage, Jesus tells the Parable of the Great Banquet. The host (representing God) invites many people to a feast (symbolizing the kingdom of God). Those initially invited (the Jewish religious leaders sitting at the table with Jesus who represent Israel) make invalid excuses and refuse to attend. The host then extends the invitation to marginalized people who are normally not invited to such gatherings – the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame— (symbolizing ostracized Hebrews like the man with dropsy). Even though they accept the invitation and attend the banquet, there is still room for more who also are invited (symbolizing Gentiles). Meanwhile, those who initially refused the invitation will not (ever) be allowed into the feast.
Bottom Line: Don’t let anything get in the way of accepting Jesus’ invitation to eternal life.
When Jesus was born the angels sang, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people” (2:10). And when Simeon first saw the baby Jesus in the Temple, he said, “…my eyes have seen your salvation…a light for revelation to the Gentiles” (2:32). Throughout this Gospel, Luke has reminded Theophilus of that great promise. He has already highlighted the Old Testament inclusion of Gentiles in the salvation stories the widow of Zarephath and Naaman. He’s already told the story of the Centurion’s faith and will later tell the stories of the Samaritan leper and Zachaeus before he concludes the book in 21:24 with a word about “the times of the Gentiles…” This is a theme he more fully develops in the book of Acts when the good news leaves Jerusalem for “the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). He then dedicates the last half of that book to the story of Paul and his mission to Gentiles.
Lest we miss Jesus’s love for “…the cripped, blind and lame” (vs 13 &21), Larry LaPlue, the CEO of Luke 14 Ministries, will be with us on Sunday to share how we can serve those “affected by disability” and help them “find community and connection to Jesus through his church.” Fortunately for Northeast Tennessee, Luke 14 is headquartered in Morristown. You can learn more about this ministry at https://luke14ministries.net/.
I hope you will take the time to read this passage every day this week, allowing the word of Christ to richly dwell in you (Col 3:16), transforming you (2 Cor 3:18) into the image of Jesus, who is the Best, most beautiful and perfect person, and in whom it is your best interests to be like. PS. It’s also in the best interest of those you love and the entire world. Lord willing, (Deo volente) I will see you on Sunday.
- Reggie Weems
