Jim Gallagher

Luke 14:15
“Blessed is he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God!”

Jesus tells a story to reveal His desire for all men everywhere to be saved. The cast includes God, played by the man giving the feast; the Christian, played by the servants sent out to invite people to the feast; and the population of planet earth, played by those who receive the invitation. Notice the excuses given by those who reject the offer. Two of the three who reject the invitation use business as an excuse. Perhaps they were driven by a sense of responsibility. Thinking they did not have time for spiritual things, but must provide for their families. Or perhaps, they were caught up in the desire for more. I believe it was Rockefeller, who, when asked how much money was enough said, “Just a little more than you have.” The third person refused to come, using His family as an excuse. Perhaps he even desired to come, but thought his wife would not be interested. Notice he said, “I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.” He may have been thinking, I will eventually come, but now is not a good time for me.

These excuses are as common today as they were then. God has sent His church with a message for every man, woman and child, inviting them to Heaven’s banquet. Sadly, for many, an unwillingness to let go of the things of earth is keeping them from the Kingdom of Heaven.

Finally, notice how God responds.

“Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in here the poor and the maimed and the lame and the blind.”

“Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.”

God’s heart breaks for those who refuse, but that doesn’t stop His desire for reaching the world with the invitation to heaven.

Pastor Jim

Questions for Luke 14

1. Where was Jesus at the time when He healed the man with dropsy?
2. What is the one word that sums up verses 7-14?
3. What were the three excuses made why the guest in the next parable didn’t come to the great supper?
4. What happened to the men who made the excuses?
5. What adjective is used to describe the multitudes?
6. Jesus would turn to that multitude and shock them with two comments. What were the two comments?
7. Jesus isn’t condoning hatred of family. It is understood that your love for Jesus should be so extreme that it makes your love for family and yourself seem like hatred in comparison. The question, is your love for Jesus growing toward that end?
8. A disciple is a follower of Jesus. You can be a Christian but not a disciple. To be a disciple, one must consider what lies ahead. Your Bible might title this section “counting the cost.” Jesus sums up two illustrations with one verse. Write that verse out and consider your life in light of that verse.
9. Are you a salty Christian? God wants to use you to further the work of the kingdom. Salty Christians are more useful in the hands of the Master. Take a moment and consider the whole of chapter 14. Pray these things into your heart right now.

Old Testament:
Leviticus 26- Idols
Leviticus 27- This Old House