Parables of Grace: Embrace God’s Love for YouSample

The Great Banquet: Grace to the Downtrodden

One Sabbath when Jesus was eating at the home of a prominent Pharisee, a guest at the table said to him, “Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God” (Luke 14:15). A banquet or feast was commonly used to describe the day of salvation or the age to come (Isaiah 25:6; Revelation 19:9). Essentially the guest’s statement meant, “Blessed is everyone who is saved.” Perhaps the guest presumes that the religiously observant people sitting around the table would inevitably be part of the banquet in the coming kingdom.

Jesus uses this opportunity to launch into the Parable of the Great Banquet, where the host of the banquet invited numerous people (Luke 14:16). This would have been like sending a wedding invitation with a request to RSVP. When the banquet was ready, the host sent his servant to tell those who were initially invited that it was time to come (Luke 14:17). It would have been insulting to the host for them to back out at this point.

But they declined, giving various excuses, such as financial or family concerns. Something else was ultimately more important than attending the celebration. According to New Testament scholar Darrell Bock, “Since the eschatological banquet is the object of the allusion, Jesus is making the point that other concerns get in the way of deciding for Jesus and sharing the hope of the eschaton. Such excuses are . . . insulting, in light of the occasion and their previous willingness to come.” Ultimately, no excuse is valid when one faces the kingdom.

Metaphorically, the religious leaders at the Shabbat dinner had accepted God’s first invitation through their religious observances of the Old Testament. Now, through Jesus, God was announcing that the time has come. But these very religious men declined to come into the kingdom.

The host wants every space in his banquet to be filled. He widely extends his invitation to the poor, the blind, those with various ailments, and those who live far away (Luke 14:21-22). Jesus models this in His own table of fellowship, which often included those on the margins: tax collectors, women, sinners, prostitutes, foreigners, and the poor. The invitation to the banquet comes through Jesus and is expansive, reaching people in all directions (Revelation 7:9; 19:9).

Many people assume that because of their religious heritage, adherence to religious rules or rituals, or proximity to Jesus that they will be saved. Jesus says in John 14:6, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Those who attend the banquet are those who simply accept the invitation and come.

Have you encountered Jesus and accepted His invitation to follow Him?

As we grow in the knowledge of God’s grace and love and receive that personally in our hearts, we are transformed. We cease striving to earn our worth and we rest in being beloved children of God. We welcome others, act justly, and love mercy because we have been the recipients of such undeserved grace and are being formed into Christ’s likeness.

Prayer: Inhale slowly and pray, “Thank you, Jesus.” Then exhale slowly and pray, “That you are the way, the truth, and the life.” Repeat this breath prayer several times, allowing it to become a meditation that you can return to.

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See the full study of Parables of Grace by Joyce Koo Dalrymple and other LifeChange topical Bible studies series from the Navigators.