Bulletins & Articles
What Keeps More Away?
In Luke 14, Jesus was invited to a ruler of the Pharisees house. At a certain point He would give the parable of the great supper. Many were invited and will even say, “Blessed is he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God”, but when it’s time to eat the excuses begin. Let’s look at the account.
- “They all with one accord began to make excuses” – From oxen (work), to a wife (family) to land (stuff), the excuses sound familiar. Some would ask to be excused. Some didn’t even ask (vs. 20). The Lord understands emergencies, for in the same chapter He spoke about the donkey that has fallen in the pit (vs. 5). But for many, excuses are how they treat the Lord’s invitation, whether it be daily, weekly, or eternally.
- They weren’t lying, maybe – Land should be surveyed (albeit usually before one buys it). Oxen should be tested (albeit usually before one buys them). He who finds a wife finds a good thing, but surely she could come to the supper as well. They weren’t lying and that was not their condemnation. They simply would not come. It did not matter why. They had been given advance notice (vs. 16). They knew when the conventional supper time was (vs. 17). They had not seen to their affairs. Of course, another possibility is that their excuses were lies. Was supper time the right time for these things? No. Perhaps they thought these excuses would excuse a simple fact: They had other things to do. They had other things they wanted to do.
- They were disrespectful – The master of house was angered at the excuses. He had prepared a great supper. He had prepared a supper for them. He had worked for them. He wanted them there and they spurned the invitation. They were unappreciative to say the least.
In the context Jesus is speaking about the religious elites of the day. The poor, maimed, and blind represent the disenfranchised of the day, like the tax collectors and sinners. The highways and hedges probably represent the gentiles. The servant would call, bring in (which would require more work), and compel (which would require persuasion). This is another way that more do not come, if the master’s servants fall short in their task. Let us do as the Master would have us and make no excuses. The Lord has done His work and is worthy. Blessed is he who shall eat bread in His kingdom.
