Connecting Point: Without Invitation

Jesus didn’t mince words or shy away from speaking the truth, but He often used parables in His teachings. In the Gospel of Luke one of the Pharisees again tried to stump Him, boastfully and loosely claiming that the privileged, including himself, would inherit the Kingdom of God. Christ had another take:

“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.’ Jesus replied: ‘A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ 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.’ Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’ Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’ 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.’ ‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’ 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. I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet,’” Luke 14:15-23.

This parable is referring to the final celebration, and still Christians look forward to it today, the Great Banquet at the end of the ages. Jesus erases the long-standing misconception that simply “doing good” ensures one’s place in heaven. Much of the Jewish culture was accustomed to banquets where guests were invited due to privilege and how they might in turn be favored. You had to “know somebody to be somebody.” In sharp contrast, Jesus emphasized that it is actually “the poor in spirit” who will inherit the Kingdom of God. “I tell you, not one of those who were invited will taste of my banquet,” verse 24.

How is it that the Great Banquet is free?

Jesus’ death and resurrection is the most radical act of generosity shown to humanity. Christ forgives sins, and our path to that finality begins with humility. Christ is the ultimate host and compels all to come humbly and without reservation.