Luke 14:15-24
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.’”
The Great Banquet—God’s Invitation to All
When I was a teen, I remember being invited to parties. One of my favorite parties to attend was at the Harding/Bremner household. My high school friend Melissa had older siblings, so it felt like a big deal to be invited, knowing there would be older people and a DJ. What was so cool was that her parents were in the house and happy to host the parties. It was their way to stay connected with their kids and get to know their friends. To this day, I have a strong bond with that family, and I truly believe it’s because of the way they made me feel like part of their family, welcoming me into their home any time. It was like an open-door policy.
Jesus’ parable of the Great Banquet paints a vivid picture of God’s invitation to his Kingdom. The banquet represents the salvation and eternal fellowship God offers to everyone. The host had sent out invitations to many, but when the time came for the feast, those invited made excuses, prioritizing their earthly concerns over the invitation.
One by one, the original invitees declined. One was busy with his new property, another with his oxen, and another with his marriage. These excuses reflect how often we prioritize worldly concerns – our possessions, work, or relationships—over God’s call. While these things aren’t wrong, they become obstacles when they come before God’s invitation.
The master’s response is surprising: he tells his servant to bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame. Those society often overlooks are now the honoured guests at this great feast. This reflects God’s heart for the marginalized, the outcast, and the unseen. His Kingdom is open to everyone, regardless of status, background, or ability.
The parable also highlights the urgency of responding to God’s invitation. The host doesn’t want his banquet to go unfilled, so the servant is sent out again to invite even more people. The message is clear. God’s invitation to salvation is extended to everyone, but it requires a response. This urgency challenges us to reflect on how we respond to God’s call and how we extend that same invitation to others.
God’s grace is wide and generous, and his invitation to fellowship with him is for everyone. Yet, we must ask ourselves: Are we making excuses, or are we saying “yes” to God’s call?
Reflection Questions:
1. What "excuses" might be keeping me from fully embracing God’s invitation? Are there distractions in my life that I need to surrender?
2. In what ways can I invite others especially those who may feel excluded or unseen into God’s Kingdom?
3. How can I respond more urgently and joyfully to God’s call in my everyday life?
Closing Prayer:
"Heavenly Father, thank You for inviting me to Your banquet and welcoming me into Your Kingdom. Forgive me for the times I’ve made excuses or allowed distractions to come before You. Help me to respond wholeheartedly to Your call. Open my eyes to see those who need to be invited and give me the courage to extend Your love and grace to them. In Jesus’ name, Amen."
Author Bio
Kesha Wint has been the Pastor of Worship and Creative Arts at
Unionville Alliance Church since June 2006. She oversees worship, music, media, and creative arts, mentoring teams and nurturing talent. Her leadership has enhanced worship experiences, including the relaunch of the church choir and organizing special events.
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Luke and Acts taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®
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