15When 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.” 16Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. 17At 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.’ (Luke 14:15-21 NIV)
This is a very well-known and often repeated passage of scripture but I’ll bet that if I asked 15 people what it “meant” I would get 15 different responses. I’ll tell you what stands out to me and that is the word “Excuses.” Jesus has offered His banquet table – free of charge and full of the food that gives real life; but we the people offer Him nothing but excuses as to why we can’t (won’t is more like it) take Him up on His generosity. After hearing all of these excuses Jesus turns around with a bit of bite in His voice and tells them the bottom line, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. 27And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” Well then, there you have it – make up all the excuses that you want and you can share them in Hell with all those you thought were more important than the Savior.
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.’ (Luke 14:15-21 NIV)
This is a very well-known and often repeated passage of scripture but I’ll bet that if I asked 15 people what it “meant” I would get 15 different responses. I’ll tell you what stands out to me and that is the word “Excuses.” Jesus has offered His banquet table – free of charge and full of the food that gives real life; but we the people offer Him nothing but excuses as to why we can’t (won’t is more like it) take Him up on His generosity. After hearing all of these excuses Jesus turns around with a bit of bite in His voice and tells them the bottom line, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. 27And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” Well then, there you have it – make up all the excuses that you want and you can share them in Hell with all those you thought were more important than the Savior.
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