You are Invited

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 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 14:15-24)

Back in the first century those who had large banquets would send out invitations to his neighbors and friends. Once the meal was ready a servant would go around and collect those who said yes to the invitation. As we see in the story, all who were invited began making excuses as to why they couldn’t now come. One said he just bought field that he had to see. Another said he had to try out his oxen. The other said he was just married.

The Jews during Jesus’ day were invited to the feast to end all feasts but they rejected the invitation also. So Jesus opens up his invitation to the Gentiles. Those that are poor, lame, crippled, are invited to the feast. Jesus made the invitation clear about the Kingdom of God in Mark 1:15. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” In Revelations we are told that there will be a wedding supper and all who believe in Christ are invited. “Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean was given for her to wear,” Then the angel said to me, Blessed are those who are invited to wedding supper of the Lamb!” (Rev. 19:7-9)

You have been invited to the wedding supper of the lamb! Will you receive the invitation and go or will you turn away because other things in life have become more important than Jesus. You are invited! Will you come?!