Luke 14:1-24

Party Time

The kingdom of heaven is often likened unto a banquet, or party. Here are some things we learn about that party from today’s passage.

Don’t be a jerk. Looking back on when I was in Junior High (as it was called in those days) I suspect I may have been a jerk. In fact, I know there were times when I was definitely a jerk. This continued off and on through High School and likely prevailed through college. Things really were getting any better until I came to the Lord in my mid 20’s. Hopefully they are better now. Don’t go to the party thinking you are the reason for the party or you will get taught a lesson. Go and take the lowest seat and something good will likely happen.

God invites people you would never expect Him to invite. In fact, He invites everyone. So if you are going to attend you need to be prepared for the likelihood that some people you are not presently comfortable with will be there also.

The only ones who don’t get to go to the party are not excluded because they wren’t invited. They are excluded because they didn’t want to come. And why didn’t they want to come? One just bought some land and was afraid it might run off somewhere while he was at the party. One had to try out his oxen. He was too busy working to attend God’s party. One had just gotten married. (I always wonder why people can’t come to church when they have family in town.) I guess it wasn’t possible that God’s banquet was a nice enough place to take a new bride.

There’s a party going on and you’re invited. What to go?