The Storyteller: Great Banquet Day 3

The Absurdity of It All
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 and 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.’ Luke 14:15-20 NLT

Jesus likens His Kingdom to a great banquet. The invitees’ excuses for not attending are simply ridiculous. You bought a field without seeing it? You bought five yoke of oxen sight unseen? It’s like buying ten used cars without knowing if they even run. You don’t eat because you are married?

Why does Jesus include such absurd excuses? Aren’t some excuses for not accepting his kingdom invitation legitimate? “I wasn’t raised a Christian.” “I’ve got to make a living.” “The church is full of hypocrites” “Jesus says he’s the only way to heaven - that’s seems unfair.” Maybe that’s the point. Any worldly excuse for not accepting Jesus’ invitation into His eternal kingdom is just absurd. God wants all to be saved. Our sinful excuses simply break His heart.

Consider your excuse for skipping your time with God’s Word yesterday, for skipping that prayer with your children tonight, for skipping that Sunday gathering to worship the Lord of the Banquet next week. Examine the validity of that excuse in the light of Jesus’ words - “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?” Matthew 16:26

Thank God for his gift of an invitation!