Christian Art | Parable Of The Invited Guests | Parables Of Jesus | King James Audio Bible KJV
Luke 14: 15-24 | King James Audio Bible | KJV | Parables Of Jesus | Week 31 Tuesday
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.
16 Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:
17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.
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.
19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.
20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.
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.
22 And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.
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.
24 For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.
The Jews of Christ’s time thought of the coming of the Messiah and the restoration of Israel in terms of a great banquet, where poverty would give way to plenty and conflict to fellowship. Jesus has told two parables, while he dines at the house of the leader of the Pharisees, one of the choice of places at a feast and one of inviting the sick and the poor. In the light of the parables, a guest at the meal is moved to express the hope of the coming of the Messiah.
In this parable, those first invited to the feast are entitled to make their excuses, and clearly these are merely excuses as opposed to good reasons, and so to seek to mask their ingratitude. Through this, we are presented in the parable with a type of those who refuse Christ, who turn away from the Lord’s invitation and find themselves preoccupied – in the Law, their material possessions, their private interests, their accustomed ways. It seems the social fabric of their lives has its hooks in them, precluding their opening themselves to the gratuitous invitation to share in the great feast.
The great feast, however, must be shared, the house of the master filled, and so the servant is sent to call the poor and maimed and blind and lame – the socially excluded; these are they who are unencumbered by such pressing concerns as prevent those first invited from coming to enjoy this gathering. At first, the city is scoured for guests, and then the servant is even sent outside the city – the scope of the master’s new invitation broadens, just as pagans will be called to follow Christ, and just as, in Luke’s time, converted, Christian Jews will be called to share table fellowship with the gentile Christians, a hitherto unthinkable state of affairs.
The master is angry, and we may sense Christ’s ire as he tells this tale to the guests at this meal, holding up to them a mirror in which they must see their own rejection of Jesus reflected. These men have so much that they cannot become poor in spirit, or like a child, or so small, in humility, that they might pass through the eye of a needle – and so attain to the Kingdom. The food they now eat is exposed by Jesus as a sign of their self-exclusion from the heavenly banquet.
Concluding Prayer | Love Revealed By Jesus Christ
God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah.
2 That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations.
3 Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.
4 O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah.
5 Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.
6 Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us.
7 God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him. (Psalm 67/66)
King James Audio Bible | Endnotes
The Parable of the Invited Guests, as recorded in Luke 14: 15-24, is one of the many parables told by Jesus in his ministry. This parable is unique in that it challenges the conventional wisdom of its day and provides insight into the nature of God’s kingdom.
In the parable, Jesus is dining at the home of a prominent Pharisee when he observes the guests jostling for the best seats. To illustrate a point, Jesus tells the story of a man who invites guests to a great banquet but is rejected by them one by one. He then invites the poor, the maimed, the blind, and the lame to take their place, saying: ‘For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.’ (Luke 14:24, KJV)
This parable is often interpreted as a commentary on the nature of God’s invitation to enter his kingdom. Jesus is teaching that God’s kingdom is open to all, regardless of social status or wealth, and that those who are deemed unworthy by society are often the very ones who will be welcomed into his kingdom. This message is in stark contrast to the religious and societal norms of the time, which placed great importance on wealth and status.
In terms of its place in the larger narrative of Jesus’ ministry, the Parable of the Invited Guests should be considered alongside other teachings, such as the Sermon on the Mount, the Garden of Gethsemane, the Crucifixion of Jesus, and the Parable of the Prodigal Son. These events and teachings are central to the Christian faith and provide a deeper understanding of the nature of God, the role of Jesus as the Christ, and the importance of forgiveness and redemption.
For Christians, the Parable of the Invited Guests is a reminder of the centrality of Jesus in their faith, and of the importance of responding to God’s invitation to enter his Kingdom. The parable also speaks to the importance of prayer, baptism, and the Christian Cross as symbols of one’s commitment to the faith. In addition, it is often considered in light of the Pentecostal movement, which emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers.
All of Jesus’ parables speak of Jesus as the one who is the gateway. In this sense, Jesus’ utterance of the parables is reflexive. And again, we are minded to direct our thought to the Passion of the Christ – of that most difficult joy in Jesus’ suffering.
The Parable of the Invited Guests is significant in its reminder of the consequences of rejecting God’s invitation. In the story, those who reject the invitation are excluded from the banquet. Christians believe that a similar fate awaits those who reject God’s invitation to enter his Kingdom. This is choice of heaven or hell – of Christ the Redeemer or Satan’s false promises.
In conclusion, Jesus of Nazareth plants his seeds in the parable to encourage and inform Christian faith. We explore through engagement the nature of God’s Kingdom, the role of Jesus as the Christ, and the importance of responding to God’s invitation.
Like and share this new collection of videos on YouTube. Each video features a young King David in the Temple, proclaiming a passage from Saint Matthew’s Gospel. Each is a striking reminder of deep connection between Jewish history, King David, and the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ [ … ]
The poem reflects an inner struggle between rebellion and submission to divine authority, expressing the poet’s desire to resist God but also recognition of the futility of doing so. The first stanza presents the poet’s rebellious spirit, where he admits to wanting to die, fight, or deny God’s influence over him. This opposition to God’s control is portrayed as a natural inclination of the poet’s heart, which he acknowledges as a stronghold that resists divine authority. However, the poet also requests that God tame his heart, recognizing that the ultimate skill or ‘highest art’ of God is to bring even the strongest opposition into submission. This sets the poem’s central theme of rebellion versus surrender [ … ]
Scripture: John 14:27 ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.’ In this verse, Jesus offers his peace to his disciples, a peace that is different from what the world provides. This divine peace is deep, abiding, and capable of calming troubled hearts and dispelling fear. It is a peace that surpasses all understanding and is rooted in the presence and promises of Christ. Prayer Dear Jesus, I come before you, seeking your peace in my life. The world around me is filled with chaos and uncertainty, but I know that your peace can calm the storm within my heart. Help me to trust in you more deeply, to rest in your promises, and to feel your presence in every moment. Fill me with your peace that surpasses all understanding, and help me to be a vessel of your peace to those around me. Amen. Personal Reflection What areas of your life are causing you anxiety or fear? How can you invite Jesus’ peace into these areas? Reflect on a time when you experienced Christ’s peace amidst turmoil. Meditation On Prayer And Gospel John 14:27 reveals a profound truth about the nature of Jesus’ peace. Unlike the fleeting and often superficial peace offered by the world, Jesus’ peace is enduring and deeply transformative. This peace is not dependent on external circumstances but is anchored in the character and promises of Christ. As we navigate through life’s challenges, it’s crucial to understand and embrace this divine peace. Jesus’ peace is rooted in his presence. When he says, ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you,’ Jesus is assuring us of his continual presence. This peace is a gift that flows from his abiding presence in our lives. It is a reminder that we are never alone, no matter what we face. his presence brings comfort and security, allowing us to rest even in the midst of life’s storms. Furthermore, Jesus contrasts his peace with the peace that the world gives. The world’s peace is often conditional and temporary, based on circumstances that can change in an instant. In contrast, Jesus’ peace is steadfast and eternal. It is a peace that reassures us in our deepest fears and anxieties, reminding us that he is in control. This peace transcends our understanding, as it is grounded in the eternal and unchanging nature of God. To experience Jesus’ peace, we must cultivate a relationship with him. This involves spending time in prayer, meditating on his word, and seeking his presence in our daily lives. It also means surrendering our worries and fears to Jesus, trusting that Jesus will provide and protect. As we draw closer to Jesus, his peace fills our hearts and minds, transforming our outlook and calming our spirits. One practical way to embrace Jesus’ peace is through prayer and meditation. By setting aside time each day to be still before the Lord, we create space for his peace to fill us. Reflecting on scriptures like John 14:27 can remind us of his promises and help us focus on his presence. Additionally, practicing gratitude can shift our focus from our worries to the many blessings in our lives, further opening our hearts to his peace. Another aspect of embracing Jesus’ peace is learning to let go of control. Often, our anxiety stems from a desire to control our circumstances. Jesus invites us to trust in his sovereign plan, even when we do not understand it. By surrendering our need for control and placing our trust in Him, we open ourselves to the peace that comes from knowing that He holds all things in his hands. Living in Jesus’ peace also means becoming peacemakers in our relationships and communities. As we experience his peace, we are called to extend that peace to others. This involves forgiving those who have wronged us, seeking reconciliation, and promoting harmony wherever we go. By being agents of his peace, we reflect his love and grace to a world in desperate need of his presence. Prayer Lord Jesus, Your peace is a precious gift that the world cannot give. In times of turmoil and distress, remind me to turn to you. Let your peace guard my heart and mind, dispelling all fear and anxiety. Teach me to trust in your unfailing love and to rest in your promises. Help me to be a peacemaker, sharing your peace with those around me. May your peace reign in my heart, my home, and my relationships. Thank you for your constant presence and the gift of your peace. Amen. Scripture: Matthew 5:9 ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.’ Blessing May the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ fill your heart and mind, guiding you through every challenge and bringing you comfort and joy. May you rest in his unending peace and share it generously with those around you. Amen.
