Luke 14:1-24

Sometimes meals can be awkward. A difference of opinion can really put a bad atmosphere over a social gathering.

It seems that a dinner party with Jesus can prove to be just as volatile!

Jesus healed this sick man at a dinner party on the Sabbath. The people He was with did not believe that He should heal on the Sabbath, and so awkwardness ensues. There is silence.

And so Jesus continued. He can see how the guests interact with each other. That is why He tells the parable in verse 8.

The guests at a dinner party ?

Jesus' story here is not a lesson in etiquette. He specifically mentioned a wedding feast. The listeners there would understand that this was an image of the coming of God's Kingdom. It was a great hope they had that God would come and there would be a great celebration.

The meaning here is that Jesus is calling us not to be egotistical or big-headed, just like He was. We are to be humble and selfless. How other people see us is not important. We are called to a different kind of living - a life of serving others humbly.

The host of the dinner party ??

The language Jesus uses in His next bit is supposed to be out there. He doesn't actually mean we should never invite our friends round for dinner! He is pushing towards a life where we serve others because they need it, not because of how it makes us look.

At this, everyone would be squirming. Jesus had targeted both the guests and the host.

The great banquet ?

Maybe to break the tension, one guest tries to change the subject - to say something inoffensive.

But Jesus' response in the parable is basically warning those there that they may not be at the awaited celebration of God's Kingdom.

Jesus has been declaring the kingdom of God - like the servant announced the start of the banquet. The reaction by those who are invited is the same as those whom Jesus has called to the kingdom.

The guests who end up coming are considered nobodies. Yet the master of the feast cares that they experience the feast. He wants to bless them. And so it is with God's Kingdom! It is open to all, no matter their status or condition. Everybody is welcome. All they need to do is accept the invitation and come and enjoy the glorious celebration of God's Kingdom.

Yet Jesus ended with a sting in the tail. Not all those who were invited would see the kingdom. They refuse to come and as a result they will not have a place at the banquet. It might not be a comfortable place to end but it's what we need sometimes. Maybe this makes you uncomfortable like the guests at the party. Jesus knows deep down and He can target those things and convict us of them. But it is for good reason! If we humble ourselves and confess our hearts before Him, then we answer the call and come and feast in the Kingdom of God. We are all welcome.