The Great Supper:  What’s Your Excuse?

“Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.
And they all with one consent began to make excuse. [1] The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. [2] And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.
[3] And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.” -Luke 14:16-21 (KJV)

We read in this parable a right-in-your-face message about three men and their excuses for not following the Lord. This is astounding when you consider it as a message not only for when Jesus walked among men but for mankind all throughout all the ages. The Jews at that time lived a life of constant ritual and sacrifices believing that living this kind of life would usher them into achieving the resurrection to come. The concept of a supper or banquet was not new to them in fact in Isa 25:6, we see that a grand supper is to come for those that are saved and following the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior and King.

Jesus spoke this parable to the Pharisees and others about the things of life that would keep people out of the Kingdom of God. But as usual they scorned Him and I would suspect that some spoke perhaps bitterness under their breath one to another. However, Jesus’ words were not to go unnoticed for He was, in fact, describing what society was like and the common reaction of men to serving God truthfully and loyally – both then and now. And we find tremendous truth in this parable about men’s attitudes for really serving and following Almighty God.

Making Excuses

Here we observe three excuses – a pertinent picture the Lord paints showing the real heart of man and His relationship to God. Three excuses portrayed as three different reasons men give for holding on to worldly anchors instead of following the Lord. Let’s look at their meaning. Number 1: the man’s reply was that he bought some land and he to go see it. Now, considering that he was most likely a business man and had seen the land before he purchased it why would he need to go and see it again? A nice handy excuse at the ready; for he has better go and look at his ‘stuff’ – handle, feel, lust, see, enjoy and gloat. The second man said he bought some oxen and needed to go and try them out. Perhaps he was alluding that his occupation was a farmer or land owner and this was far more important than  attending a great supper. Then the third, ah … he had to go and attend to his wife for she was more important than attending this great banquet. His excuse centered around personal relationships being the key in his life. Say … why couldn’t he have brought his wife (or family members) with him to the great feast?

So when we look at these three excuses we see a cross section of the heart of man concerning the things of God. In summary, there is the stuff in our lives – idols – that keep us away from God. In other words, things (cars, houses, wealth, fame, TVs, electronic gizmos) keep us away from serving God in the way that pleases Him. Then there is our occupation – jobs, status, etc – that take our time and our interests so there is nothing or very little left for God. I know many people like this, in fact, years ago I was just like this. I made more time for my worldly work than for Godly work. And then the most impacting and down to earth one – a man’s wife or personal relationships with family sought to sway this man away from following God. Oh how so absolutely true in this day and age! Today, we have parties, celebrations, get-togethers frequently but during those times what’s the most important on people’s mind? What is talked about the most? Is God ever brought into any discussion? How about the saving grace of the Lord? His sacrifice on  the cross? His shed blood? Are all your friends and family members saved? I would say that if we knew the real presence of God (and one day we shall) we would be engulfed with His majesty, power and presence shaking us to our core causing us to talk more about Him, serve Him with more sincerity and worship Him daily. People don’t think of eternity much today – not much thought of the banquet (marriage supper of the Lamb) we will sit down to one day in God’s home – Rev 19:6-9.

Straight Talk

So where-the-tire-hits-the-road, where are you at right now? What excuse/s have you used in the past for not: (1) reading His word, (2) praying, (3) seeking His face, (4) attending a Bible-preaching, God-fearing church, (5) witnessing to other people in your life? What excuses do you give to others, to yourself and to God? Some sobering straight talk on your personal relationship with the Lord. I would venture to say that you won’t hear this kind of teaching in your church at any time. Why? Today’s pastors and elders do not preach the full council of God and are in essence preventing people from knowing the real truth and, yes, are shutting up the Kingdom of God from them – Matt 23:13; Luke 11:52. Consider these things seriously folks.

Don’t make excuses – start right now today in serving the Lord – new or afresh. Follow Him every day and know Him better than you know your best friend. Strive to keep on the narrow path (Matt 7:13) that leads to life with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Talk to Him often.

 -BPWatcher