There are times when we receive exciting invitations to a party or a wedding and we are in no doubt that we want to attend. Other invitations do not give us the same amount of pleasure and anticipation. I am sure that many girls have agreed to go to a dance with a guy only to regret it once they receive another invitation from someone they like better. To pull out just before the prom would be devastating for the guy.

In the Bible there is a story illustrating a rich man inviting guests to His banquet. Luke 14:18 describes all of the wealthy guests pulling out after they had already accepted the invitation, offering lame excuses. It appears that they had decided en masse to spoil the host’s plans and one can imagine the anger and sadness experienced by the host. The invitation in this parable or story told by Jesus is far more significant than rude guests and a frustrated host. It is referring to God, who is like the host, inviting people into the kingdom of Heaven which is the ultimate banquet. The response to such an invitation is rather more significant than whether guests attend a banquet or wedding party. The story illustrates how we should be careful how we respond to the invitation that God offers us.

It is no coincidence that Jesus is having dinner with opinionated religious leaders, the Pharisees, when He tells the story about the great banquet. Before telling the story Jesus reprimanded them for taking the places of honor at the dinner table as they considered themselves important. Jesus also tells them that when they invite dinner guests they should invite “the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame” rather than rich friends and relatives. The Pharisees are constantly planning to trip Jesus up but He confronts them regarding their social and religious pretensions.

It seems that one of Jesus’ purposes in telling the story is to challenge them further, smashing their expectations about Heaven. These leaders assume that they are on a fast track to Heaven but Jesus describes guests who are rich and rude like the Pharisees. They were disdainful of the host’s invitation and refused to attend the banquet. Consequently the master of the house ordered his servant (who represents Jesus) to fill his house with the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.” The host also adds that “not one of those men who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.”

I love a just end to a story. Jesus says that the rich, rude men who are so like the Pharisees will not go to Heaven: “I tell you, not one of those men will get a taste of my banquet.” I am sure that Jesus is warning his listeners about their arrogant attitude and their disdain for Jesus. Most of the religious leaders had failed to believe that Jesus was God’s Son and that he is the only way, the only possible hope, for them (or us) to go to Heaven. The people most like the Pharisees are passed over and instead the master of the house, representing God, wants the servant to strongly persuade the poor and the weak to fill the places. The powerful Jewish leaders thought that they deserved to go to Heaven, in the same way that they thought that they deserved to sit at the best places at the dinner table, but they were wrong.

The story of the banquet reminds us that we must not assume that God invites just the rich, attractive, successful ones to have a relationship with Him. Certainly the Jewish leaders were invited but they had better things to do. They missed out on the ultimate banquet, potentially the most life changing invitation that represented entry to he kingdom of God. Instead the poor and the weak were invited who represent the less influential Jews and the Gentiles or non Jews.

Perhaps we are like the rich Pharisees. I know that I am in certain respects. I am inclined to think that it is my job to invite God to help me lead my life when I am ready and to do my own thing when I am not. Instead we need to humbly recognize that God is the one doing the inviting and compared to Him we are weak, poor and pathetic. What an honor it is to receive an invitation from God. I have had conversations with total strangers in trains, planes and in various cities, and I have encouraged them to respond to Jesus, humbly and thankfully. Many have given the impression that one day they might consider the invitation, but by then it might be too late.

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