Who would come? ∙∙
The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost. – Revelation 22:17
Luke 14:15-24
15 What a blessing it will be to attend a banquet in the Kingdom of God!
16 Jesus replied with this story: “A man prepared a great feast and sent out many invitations.”
17 “When the banquet was ready, he sent his servant to tell the guests, ‘Come, the banquet is ready.’”
18 “But they all began making excuses. One said, ‘I have just bought a field and must inspect it. Please excuse me.’”
19 “Another said, ‘I have just bought five pairs of oxen, and I want to try them out. Please excuse me.’”
20 “Another said, ‘I now have a wife, so I can’t come.’”
21 “The servant returned and told his master what they had said. His master was furious and said, ‘Go quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and invite the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.’”
22 “After the servant had done this, he reported, ‘There is still room for more.’”
23 “So his master said, ‘Go out into the country lanes and behind the hedges and urge anyone you find to come, so that the house will be full.’”
24 “For none of those I first invited will get even the smallest taste of my banquet.’”
The Birthday Party of the Season
On August 7, 2021, Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States, celebrated his 60th birthday with a star-studded event. Organized by Obama and his wife, Michelle, the celebration was initially planned to host around 700 guests, making it one of the most talked-about social gatherings of the season.
Scaling Down Amid Criticism
However, as the COVID-19 Delta variant surged, concerns arose that the event might become a “super spreader.” Facing public scrutiny and negative media attention, the Obamas decided to scale down the guest list to include only “family and close friends.”
Despite the reduced attendance, the party still boasted an impressive lineup of celebrity guests, including Beyonce and JAY-Z, George Clooney, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, Bradley Cooper, Steven Spielberg, Gayle King, Chrissy Teigen, Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade, Erykah Badu, H.E.R., and Questlove.
Imagine Your Own Grand Banquet
Imagine you have the resources to throw an extravagant and impressive party. Who would you invite? Would your guest list be limited to family and close friends, or would you also include neighbors, colleagues, and acquaintances? How would you determine who should receive an invitation?
The Kingdom of God: The Ultimate Banquet
The kingdom of God is often likened to a grand banquet, the most significant social gathering of all time. It marks the beginning of eternity, and our loving Father extends an open invitation to all. This invitation reflects His generosity, kindness, and desire for fellowship with His sentient creation.
However, not everyone who is invited chooses to attend. Unlike earthly celebrations, there are no health risks or logistical issues to consider. The choice to accept or decline the invitation is based solely on one’s love and affection for the One who extends it.
As William Barclay poignantly notes, “It is heartbreaking that sadly many would refuse His invitation. In the kingdom of God, there is only one compulsion, the compulsion of love.”
Timeless Truths from the Parable
The parable of the great banquet remains as relevant today as it was when Jesus first shared it. The excuses made by those invited reflect the ones we use in our modern lives. Professional responsibilities, daily routines, and the cares of this life often overshadow our spiritual priorities.
We allow our possessions, ambitions, and emotional ties to take precedence over our relationship with God. The underlying reason for these excuses is straightforward: we do not prioritize the invitation.
In today’s fast-paced world, it’s alarmingly easy to dedicate our time to new distractions, leaving little room for the Father. In today’s world, there’s always something novel and enticing vying for our attention. The Father desires to spend time with us. However, the routine aspects of our lives, as important as they may be, often simply push aside the Father’s claims on our time.
As a result, the good things in life overshadow and crowd out the best.
REFLECT & PRAY
When the Father invites you to take part in His kingdom plans, there is only one wise choice: set aside everything else and seize that opportunity. It is a magnificent privilege to be involved in His work.
Father, thank You for inviting me to be a part of Your kingdom. Although I was hesitant and needed to reflect deeply, I accepted the invitation. Please help me always to prioritize Your call above all else.
INSIGHT
A Lavish Banquet of Grace Prepared for All
The Father’s offer of salvation is beautifully depicted as an invitation to a grand banquet or feast. Everything has been meticulously prepared, and the invitation is extended to all. Unfortunately, throughout history, many have tragically declined this priceless offer.
Why do people reject such a gracious invitation? The answer is simple yet heartbreaking: they reject the Father who issued it. This rejection is not merely a refusal of the banquet but a denial of the relationship and love that the Father offers.
Excuses and Priorities
What about the children of the King? The Father is always at work, inviting His children to join Him in His plans. It is disheartening to see that even His children often reflect the world’s excuses. We tend to prioritize our personal agendas and selfish desires over the Father’s call, putting ourselves before Him.
Many of the things we focus on will still be there tomorrow, yet we act as if they demand immediate attention while the Father’s invitation is pushed aside. Our responsibilities and commitments, though important, often become distorted in our perception, leading to misplaced priorities.
Why Do We Make Excuses?
When you find yourself making excuses, take a moment to pause and reflect on them. Ask yourself, “Why am I making this excuse?” Is it because I simply don’t want to attend and participate in what the Father is offering? Whose kingdom am I truly serving, my Father’s or my own?
In the presence of the Father, our excuses are revealed for what they really are: thinly veiled selfishness. Even worse, they are an affront to the One who lovingly invites us to join Him.
Reasons Versus Excuses: A Critical Distinction
There is a significant difference between a valid reason and an excuse. A reason provides a legitimate explanation for why something cannot be accomplished. In contrast, an excuse is often a smokescreen or diversion meant to avoid doing what we know we should.
Warren Wiersbe wisely noted, “The person who is good at making excuses is usually not good at anything else.” Similarly, Billy Sunday humorously described an excuse as “The skin of a reason stuffed with a lie.”
Ignoring the Father’s Invitation
How often do we overlook the Father’s repeated invitations to join Him in His plans? He has dreams for our lives that far exceed anything we could imagine for ourselves. Yet, instead of embracing His vision, we hold tightly to our own, creating weak, self-centered excuses to avoid His invitation. How can we be so misguided as to reject our loving Father?
Could it be that we were designed to fulfill His dreams rather than our own? By rejecting His invitation, we not only miss out on His plans but also the joy and purpose He has prepared for us.
Misguided Priorities: A Humorous Yet Sobering Truth
Winston Churchill once humorously remarked, “You can always count on Americans to do the right thing, after they’ve tried everything else.”
How often are the children of the King like that? The difference is that we don’t always do the right thing, no matter how many other options we explore first.
It’s easy to make excuses when we are focused on serving our own kingdom instead of His.
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© Dr. H 2025
Dr H Reflections 