Parables of Jesus Christ The Unwilling Guests & The Marriage Feast

1 And again Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying, 2 "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a marriage feast for his son,3 and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the marriage feast;but they would not come. 4 Again he sent other servants, saying, `Tell those who are invited, Behold, I have made ready my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves are killed, and everything is ready; come to the marriage feast.' 5 But they made light of it and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, 6 while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them. 7 The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. 8 Then he said to his servants, `The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. 9 Go therefore to the thoroughfares, and invite to the marriage feast as many as you find.' 10 And those servants went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good; so the wedding hall was filled with guests. 11 "But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment; 12 and he said to him, `Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?' And he was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the attendants, `Bind him hand and foot, and cast him into the outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth.' 14 For many are called, but few are chosen."

Meditation: What can a royal wedding party tell us about God's kingdom?  One of the most beautiful images of heaven in the scriptures is the banquet and wedding celebration given by the King for his son.  We, in fact, have been invited to the most important banquet of all! The last book in the bible ends with an invitation to the wedding feast of the Lamb and his Bride, the church: The Spirit and the Bride say, Come! (Rev. 22:17). Why does Jesus' parable seem to focus on an angry king who ends up punishing those who refused his invitation and who mistreated his servants?  Jesus' parable contains two stories.  The first has to do with the original guests invited to the feast.  The king had sent out invitations well in advance to his subjects, so they would have plenty of time to prepare for coming to the feast.  How insulting for the invited guests to then refuse when the time for celebrating came! They made light of the King's request because they put their own interests above his.  They not only insulted the King but the heir to the throne as well. The king's anger is justified because they openly refused to give the king the honor he was due.  Jesus directed this warning to the Jews of his day, both to convey how much God wanted them to share in the joy of his kingdom, but also to give a warning about the consequences of refusing his Son, their Messiah and Savior.  The second part of the story focuses on those who had no claim on the king and who would never have considered getting such an invitation.  The "good and the bad" along the highways certainly referred to the Gentiles and to sinners.  This is certainly an invitation of grace -- undeserved, unmerited favor and kindness!  But this invitation also contains a warning for those who refuse it or who approach the wedding feast unworthily.  Grace is a free gift, but it is also an awesome responsibility.  Dieterich Bonhoeffer contrasts "cheap grace" and "costly grace".  "Cheap grace is the grace we bestow on ourselves ..the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance ..grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate. ..Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door at which a man must knock.  Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ.  It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life."  God invites each of us to his banquet that we may share in his joy.  Are you ready to feast at the Lord's banquet table?

"Lord, may I always know the joy of living in your presence and grow in the hope of seeing you face to face in your everlasting kingdom."

Parables of Jesus Christ The Wedding Feast Scripture: Luke 14:15-24 (Matthew 22:1-14)

15 When one of those who sat at table with him heard this, he said to him, "Blessed is he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God!" 16 But he said to him, "A man once gave a great banquet, and invited many; 17 and at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, `Come; for all is now ready.' 18 But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, `I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it; I pray you, have me excused.' 19 And another said, `I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them; I pray you, have me excused.' 20 And another said, `I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.' 21 So the servant came and reported this to his master. Then the householder in anger said to his servant, `Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and maimed and blind and lame.' 22 And the servant said, `Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.' 23 And the master said to the servant, `Go out to the highways and hedges, and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. 24 For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.'"

Meditation: What can a state dinner or royal banquet tell us about God's kingdom?  One of the most beautiful images of heaven in the scriptures is the royal banquet and wedding celebration given by the King.  We, in fact, have been invited to the most important banquet of all! The last book in the bible ends with an invitation to the wedding feast of the Lamb and his Bride, the church: The Spirit and the Bride say, Come! (Rev. 22:17). Jesus' parable takes an unexpected twist when the invited guests make excuses. Why is this the case.  A king or great lord normally sent out invitations well in advance to his subjects, so they would have plenty of time to prepare for coming to the banquet.  How insulting for the invited guests to then refuse when the time for celebrating came! They made light of the King's request because they put their own interests above his.

Jesus probes the reasons why people make excuses to God's great invitation.  The first excuse allows the claims of one's business to take precedence over God's claim. Do you allow your work to totally absorb you and to keep you from the thought of God?  The second excuse allows other goods or possessions to come before God.  Does television or other diversions crowd out time for God in prayer and worship?  The third excuse puts home and family ahead of God.  God never meant for our home and relationships to be used selfishly.  We serve God best when we invite him into our work and homes and when we share our possessions with others.

The second part of the story focuses on those who had no claim on the king and who would never have considered getting such an invitation.  The "poor, maimed, blind, and lame" represent the outcasts of society -- those who can make no claim on the King. There is even ample room at the feast of God for outsiders from the highways and hedges -- the gentiles. This is certainly an invitation of grace -- undeserved, unmerited favor and kindness!  But this invitation also contains a warning for those who refuse it or who approach the wedding feast unworthily.  Grace is a free gift, but it is also an awesome responsibility.  Dieterich Bonhoeffer contrasts "cheap grace" and "costly grace".  "Cheap grace is the grace we bestow on ourselves ..the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance ..grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate. ..Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door at which a man must knock.  Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ.  It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life."  God invites each of us to his banquet that we may share in his joy.  Are you ready to feast at the Lord's banquet table?

"Lord, you withhold no good thing from us and you lavish us with the treasures of heaven. Help me to seek your kingdom first and to lay aside anything that might hinder me from doing your will."

THE PARABLES OF JESUS The Tower Builder & the Warlord Scripture: Luke 14:27-33

27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, `This man began to build, and was not able to finish.' 31 Or what king, going to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and take counsel whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends an embassy and asks terms of peace. 33 So therefore, whoever of you does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.

Meditation:  What does the parable of the tower builder and a ruler on a war campaign have in common?  Both risk serious loss if they don't carefully plan ahead.  In a shame and honor culture they want to avoid at all costs being mocked by their community for failing to complete a task they began in earnest.This double parable echoes the instruction of Proverbs: "By wisdom a house is built" and "by wise guidance you can wage a war" to ensure victory (Proverbs 24:3-6). Every landowner who could afford it walled in his orchard as a protection from intruders who might steal or harm his produce. A tower was usually built in a corner of the wall and a guard posted especially during harvest time when thieves would likely try to make off with the goods.  Starting a building-project, like a watchtower, and leaving it unfinished because of poor planning would invite the scorn of the whole village.  Likewise a king who decided to wage a war against an opponent who was much stronger, would be considered foolish if he did not come up with a plan that had a decent chance of success.

Jesus tells his would-be disciples that they, too, must count the cost if they want to succeed as his disciples. Jesus assures success for those willing to pay the price. All it cost is everything! What does Jesus have to offer that's worth giving up everything else? More than we can imagine! Jesus offers the gift of abundant life and everlasting peace and happiness with God. (See the parable of the treasure hidden in the field and the pearl of great price in Matthew 13:44-45).  It's natural to ask what it's going to cost before you sign up or pay for something. Jesus was utterly honest and spared no words to tell his disciples that it would cost them dearly to follow after him.  There can be no room for compromise or concession with God.  We either give our lives over to him completely or we keep them for ourselves.  Paul the Apostle says, "We are not our own.  We were bought with a price" ( 1 Cor. 6:19b,20).  That price is the blood of Jesus shed for us on the cross.

Jesus knew that the way of the cross was the Father's way to glory and victory over sin and death.  He counted the cost and said "yes" to his Father's will.  We, too, must "count the cost" and be ready to follow Jesus in the way of the cross if we want to share in his glory and victory.  What is the "way of the cross" for you and for me?  When my will crosses with God's will, then his will must be done.  The way of the cross involves sacrifice, the sacrifice of laying down my life each and every day for Jesus' sake.  What makes such sacrifice possible and "sweet" for us is the love of God poured out for us in the blood of Jesus Christ. Paul the Apostle reminds us that "God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit" (Romans 5:5). We can never out give God.  He always gives us more than we can expect or imagine. Do you allow the Holy Spirit to fill your heart with the love of God?

The love of God compels us to choose who or what will be first in our lives.  To place any relationship or any possession above God is a form of idolatry.  Jesus challenges his disciples to examine who they love first.  Jesus' way to glory and power is opposite the world's way of glory and power.  The choice is ours, but the Lord does not leave us alone if we choose to follow him.   Does the love of Christ compel you to put God first in all you do (see 2 Cor. 5)?

"Lord, may your love consume me and transform my life that I may truly desire nothing more than life with you.  Help me to count the cost and to joyfully embrace the cross for your sake."

Parables of Jesus Christ The Bride's Girlfriends (or The Ten Virgins) Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13

1 "Then the kingdom of heaven shall be compared to ten maidens who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; 4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5 As the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. 6 But at midnight there was a cry, `Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' 7 Then all those maidens rose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, `Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' 9 But the wise replied, `Perhaps there will not be enough for us and for you; go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.' 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast; and the door was shut. 11 Afterward the other maidens came also, saying, `Lord, lord, open to us.' 12 But he replied, `Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.' 13 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

Meditation: You know the look of disappointment when you miss a "once in a life-time" opportunity.  Being unprepared can lead to disastrous consequences!  What good is a forgotten life-jacket, when the boat is sinking?  Jesus' story of ten girlfriends of the bride being caught off-guard by the groom's party seems strange to westerners today.  But his audience knew all too well how easily this could happen to them.  Wedding customs in ancient Palestine required extra vigilance and preparation for everyone involved.  (Some near eastern villages still follow this custom.)  The bride and groom did not go away for their honeymoon, but celebrated for a whole week with their family and friends.  It was the custom for the groom to come at his discretion and get his bride and bring her to the wedding party. If he came at night lamps were required by necessity.  To show up for a wedding party at night without proper attire, such as a lamp and a wedding garment, is like showing up for an important event today which requires a reservation and a ticket.  You just don't get in without the proper pass.  Can you imagine the frustration one experiences in traveling abroad and finding out you can't get into some country because you don't have a valid passport or visa?  Jesus warns us that there are consequences for being unprepared.  There are certain things you cannot obtain at the last moment. For example, a student cannot prepare for his exam when the day of testing is upon him.  A person cannot get the right kind of character or skill required for a task at hand unless he already possesses it. Our eternal welfare depends on our hearing, and many have trained themselves to not hear.  We will not be prepared to meet the Lord, face to face, when he calls us on the day of judgment, unless we listen to him today.  The Lord invites us to feast at his banquet table.  Are you ready to meet him when he calls?

"Lord, make me vigilant and attentive to your voice that I may heed your call at all times.  May I find joy in your presence and delight in doing your will."

Parables of Jesus Christ The Arrogant Guest Scripture: Luke 14:1, 7-14

1 One sabbath when he went to dine at the house of a ruler who belonged to the Pharisees, they were watching him. 7 Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he marked how they chose the places of honor, saying to them, 8 "When you are invited by any one to a marriage feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest a more eminent man than you be invited by him; 9 and he who invited you both will come and say to you, `Give place to this man,' and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. 10 But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, `Friend, go up higher'; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. 11 For every one who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." 12 He said also to the man who had invited him, "When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your  kinsmen or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return, and you  be repaid. 13 But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. You will be repaid at the resurrection of the just."

Meditation: Who do you honor at your table?  The Lord is ever ready to receive us at his table.  As far as we can tell from the gospel accounts, Jesus never refused a dinner invitation!  Why, in this particular instance, does Jesus lecture his host on who he should or shouldn't invite to dinner?  Did his host expect some favor or reward from Jesus?  Did he want to impress his neighbors with the honor of hosting the "miracle worker" from Galilee? Jesus' parable of the arrogant guest who attempts to upstage others at the wedding banquet echoes the warning in the Book of Proverbs:  Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence or stand in the place of the great; for it is better to be told, 'Come up here,' than to be put lower in the presence of the prince'" (Proverbs 25:6-7).  Jesus parable shows us the paradox of the kingdom:  the last shall be first, and the first last.  Pride estranges us from others and conceit in spiritual things alienates us from God.  Humility frees the heart to love and serve others generously without prejudice, conceit, or favoritism. Jesus probes our hearts.  Do you show favor and generosity to those who will repay you in kind?  What about those who do not have the means to repay you — the poor, the sick, and the disadvantaged?  True generosity springs from a heart full of mercy and compassion. We cannot outgive God in his generosity towards us.  Do you give freely as Jesus gives without expectation for personal gain or reward?

"Lord, fill me with gratitude for your boundless love and mercy towards me.  And purify my love for others that I may seek their good rather than my own benefit or gain.  Free me to love others as you love."

Parables of Jesus Christ The Sulking Children Scripture reading: Luke 7: 31-35

31 "To what then shall I compare the men of this generation, and what are they like? 32 They are like children sitting in the market place and calling to one another, `We piped to you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not weep.' 33 For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine; and you say, `He has a demon.' 34 The Son of man has come eating and drinking; and you say, `Behold, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' 35 Yet wisdom is justified by all her children."

Meditation: What do childrens' games have to do with the kingdom of God?  The children in Jesus' parable react with disappoint because they cannot induce anyone to join in their musical medley.  They complain that if they play their music at weddings, no one will dance or sing; and if they play at funerals, it is the same.  This refrain echoes the words of Ecclesiastes 3:4 -- there is a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance. Jesus' message of the kingdom of God is a proclamation of good news and of great joy for those who will listen; but it is also a warning for those who refuse.  Why did the message of John the Baptist and the message of Jesus meet with resistance and deaf ears?  It was out of jealously and spiritual blindness that the scribes and Pharisees attributed John the Baptist's austerities to the devil and they attributed Jesus' table fellowship as evidence for messianic pretense. They succeeded in frustrating God's plan for their lives because they had closed their hearts to the message of  John the Baptist and now to Jesus. What can make us spiritually dull and slow to hear God's voice?  Like the generation of Jesus' time, our age is marked by indifference and contempt, especially in regards to the things of heaven.  Indifference dulls our ears to God's voice and to the good news of the gospel.   Only the humble of heart can find joy in God's grace and favor. Do you know the joy of the gospel?

"Lord, open my ears to hear the good news of your kingdom and set my heart free to love and serve you joyfully.  May nothing keep me from following you wholeheartedly."