“And at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’” – Luke 14:17
There were so many excuses given for why they couldn’t come. There were new animals to look over, or a new field. One fellow was newly-wed and even blamed his wife for not being able to come (which is literally the oldest excuse in the book). Over and over the blessings these folks had received were pitted against the wonderful blessing of the feast.
This is what sinful people do. We pit blessings God has given us over and against the blessings of life and salvation He gives in His church. We turn these other blessings into idols over and against God. I suppose sometimes for farmers it might be fields or flocks (can’t come, gotta work in the field!). Often we will throw up our family as our excuse. Or there’s the job, or the hobby/sport, or we’re just too worn out from last night’s partying to get up in the morning (as though we didn’t know Church was coming). And all these good things – work, family, leisure and celebration – these good gifts from God are tossed right back in His face. This the temptation which we face.
Christ Jesus had a more difficult path to the feast. His was not a simple invitation, for He had to make ready all things for the feast. He would not simply get to come and enjoy, but He would have to become man, suffer, and die. If anyone could have made excuses, you would think it would be Him! I might have to get up early and spend an hour or so at Church; He had to be crucified to make it happen! But there are no excuses from Christ – instead He goes to the cross and dies and rises.
Why? So that He could say to you, “Come, for everything is ready.” Our God is a giver. He gives us blessings of both body and soul, and even our abuse of our physical, earthly blessings won’t cut off the feast. Instead, He will bring in poor, miserable sinners like us and fill us with His good gifts and Spirit. God grant that He continually bring us to His feast, both now and eternally!
