Still Room

 

 Luke 14:15-24

 The Parable of the Great Banquet

¹⁵ 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.”

¹⁶ Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. ¹⁷ At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’

¹⁸ “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.’

¹⁹ “Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’

²⁰ “Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’

²¹ “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.’

²² “‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’

²³ “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. ²⁴ I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’”

The man who prepared the banquet was faced with refusals and still empty chairs when his servants went out to round up the crippled, blind and lame. His generous heart sought a full house, and was frustrated by lack of interest. Do we feel for him or do we identify with those who are too busy or just looking for excuses not to attend? How often do we turn our backs on God's generous offers and invitations? And yet he keeps inviting, for there's still always room for us. This Gospel not only shows us God's magnanimity, but also challenges our priorities.  Isn't a place at his banquet more important than the excuses we find to ignore it?

Bro. Rene

Dear God awaken in me a sense of true priority and help me accept whatever invitation you offer me. Amen.