Welcome again to our series on Dining on the Banquet of Christ. In the last episode, we looked more into the parable of the banquet, and how each of the excuses from the invited guests, presented an image of an attitude of rejection against Jesus.
So now let’s examine the final few parts of Jesus’ parable, and savor more of what He is telling His listeners, and us.
We’re going to be picking up at Luke 14:21 as we begin today; this is directly after the three invited guests make their excuses:
“ 21 So that servant came, and showed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in here the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.
22 And the servant said, Lord, it is done as you have commanded, and yet there is room.
23 And the lord said to the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
24 For I say to you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.”
We see here that the servant comes and reports the excuses of the invitees to the master— the one who gave the banquet. And we see that the master becomes angry. His response is to go and invite the poor, maimed, halt, and blind.
Now what do all of these have in common? These people are in need… and because they have needs, they’ll appreciate the banquet that is being offered.
In verse 22, we see that the servant reports that this has been done but there is still room. This presents a picture of God’s over-supply. Just as with the miracles of God’s provision throughout the scripture, from the original manna in the desert, to the miracles of Jesus with the loaves and fish, there is always an abundance beyond the need— and we see the same thing in this story, there’s always room at the banquet table of Jesus.
Next, in verse 23 he says go out to the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in that my house may be filled.
Let’s think about this— highways and hedges. The highways are places outside the city, places where you will find foreigners and travelers. And the hedges extend the inclusiveness beyond even the roads. Jesus’ invitation is for all to come and partake of His banquet.
Now, verse 24, is a bitter moment for those who were originally invite. They have now missed out on what was offered— others will instead enjoy what was theirs. Not because there isn’t room (we know there is), but Jesus is making a statement here. These people will not taste the supper, because they chose not to come! They were invited, they were informed it was ready, and they actively rejected it.
The Meaning of the Parable
After finishing the parable, Jesus explains the spiritual meaning of it in the verses that follow:
“25 And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said to them,
26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brothers, and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
27 And whoever does not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.”
Religious legalists have used these verses to present following Jesus as something difficult, something requiring great hardship, and unimaginable sacrifice. Something that only the most elite could ever hope to achieve. But ironically, that was the opposite of Jesus’ message! It was in-fact the elite, those who had everything and seemingly had their lives together that missed out on the great banquet! Remember that the master invite the lowly, the very dregs of society, the outsiders, who ultimately got to enjoy the feast.
The message of Jesus in these verses was not that you must be some hardcore religious elitist to follow Him, nor is it that you must hate people, or your own family. This is just another example where English translations can hinder our understanding of Jesus’ words.
Consider with me, that Jesus is not referring to actual “hate” here. If He was, then He would be guilty of breaking the fifth commandment and would not be a spotless lamb.
What He is referring to here, as inferred by the previous parable, is that anyone who loves something more than Him, will not succeed at discipleship. The other things/people will draw them away, and they will miss the blessing (the banquet); just as we saw happen with the original ones who were invited.
Further evidence for this interpretation can be found in Matthew 10:37, where Jesus says basically the same thing in a different way:
“Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me”
The idea is simply this… if you love something more than Jesus, then when there is a clash, when there is a dispute, whatever you love more will prevail. And if that thing (or person!) runs counter to Christ, and your new identity in Him, then it will sabotage your union with Jesus, by sabotaging your spiritual identity.
I’ve had this happen in my own life, where I had to stop listening to some of my favorite music, because what I noticed is that the lyrics presented a message that was in direct conflict to my new identity in Christ— and I came to the conclusion that my identity in Him was more valuable to me than the music.
A simple example that I hope makes the application of this principle clear.
Join me next time as we continue dining on the banquet of Christ together
Be blessed.
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