Did You Get Your Invitation? Did you RSVP?

January 06, 2014

Jesus told the story of the Parable of the Great Banquet in Luke 14:15-23. Invitations were sent.

His parable is about a servant sent out by his master to tell all the invited guests “everything was ready” and to come. But they gave excuses and refused. So the servant went back to his master and told him they didn’t want to come to the banquet. This news angered the master. The servant was sent out again in the "streets and alleys of the town" and this time to bring in the poor, crippled and needy. They all were willing to come and yet the massive banquet hall was not yet filled. The master again sent out his servant and urged his servant to bring in enough people to fill his house. The master said, "For I tell you, none of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet."

Jesus often taught in parables. In this one the master is Jesus. The invited guests apparently did not decline the first invitation and it was customary in those days to send out a second invitation when all was ready. The excuses were apparently dishonest, according to the EVS Study Bible commentary, and "it [the parable] concludes with a warning to the elite of Israel who reject the Messiah that they will not be given a second chance."

Jesus said, "All that the Father gives Me will come to Me and whoever comes to Me I will never drive away. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of Him who sent me. and this is the will of Him who sent Me, that I shall lose none of all that He has given Me, but raise them up on the last day. For my Father's will is that everyone who look the the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up on that day." (John 6:37-40).

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16).

Jesus said, "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him, and I will raise him up on the last day" (John 6:43).

His compassionate invitation: "Come to Me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28).

"Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!" (Revelation 19:9). The ESV commentary on this verse: "It's a celebration of the intimacy, love and joy between Christ and His people."

Jesus not only invites us to have abundant life in the here and now (John 10:10) but He offers us eternal life with Him. He invites us to the spectacular, supernatural banquet of the glorious Lamb of God! Are you hungry enough, yet, to make your RSVP, "yes?"

Desiring to shine the light for HIS glory,

Polly :)

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