*Luke 14:15-35
Jesus teaches about God’s open invitation to all through a parable about a rejected feast and welcoming the poor and marginalized.
- Parable of the Great Banquet:
- At a dinner, a guest remarks on the blessings of eating in God’s kingdom.
- Jesus responds with a parable about a man preparing a grand banquet and inviting many.
- The invited guests make excuses and decline the invitation, citing their new property, oxen, and marriages.
- In response, the host orders his servant to bring in the poor, crippled, blind, and lame from the streets.
- After this, he directs the servant to compel those outside the city to come, ensuring the house is filled.
- The host declares that none of the originally invited will taste the feast, underscoring the importance of accepting God’s invitation without excuses.
- Cost of Discipleship:
- Jesus teaches the crowd about the demands of following him.
- He states that disciples must prioritize their commitment to him above family ties and even life itself, using strong hyperbole (“hate” in comparison to their love for Jesus).
- A disciple must carry their own cross, signifying total devotion despite potential suffering.
- Counting the Cost:
- Jesus gives two analogies to emphasize thoughtful consideration before becoming a disciple:
- A builder who first calculates costs before constructing a tower.
- A king who deliberates whether he can win a war with fewer soldiers or should negotiate peace.
- Both analogies stress the importance of understanding the commitment and sacrifices required.
- Jesus gives two analogies to emphasize thoughtful consideration before becoming a disciple:
- Warning Against Losing Purpose:
- Jesus compares disciples to salt that has lost its flavor.
- He explains that salt that no longer serves its purpose is thrown out, similarly stressing the need for disciples to maintain their commitment and usefulness in God’s kingdom.
14:15 And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.
14:16 Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: 14:17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.
14:18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse. 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.
14:19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.
14:20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.
14:21 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.
14:22 And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.
14:23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
14:24 For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.
14:25 And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, 14:26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
14:27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
14:28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 14:29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, 14:30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.
14:31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? 14:32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.
14:33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
14:34 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? 14:35 It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.