Author: Bill Hall

And another said, ‘I just got married, and therefore I’m unable to come.’

Luke 14:20 CSB

This is the excuse for which we tend to have the most sympathy. This individual understandably did not want to miss his honeymoon. But, remember two things. First, Jewish marriage customs were different, and so the impact was not quite the same. Second, there have been many who have missed their own honeymoon for events of great significance.

Thus, the whole point Jesus is making with this part of the parable is that many would miss the truth of His message because they saw the events of their lives as more important than the eternal truths of the kingdom.

Heavenly Father, You alone know what is best. We choose our path like people staggering in the dark. The only light we can have to go by is You. We think we know best, but we can do little more than guess. Your way is perfect! Father, shine Your light upon our lives! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m going to try them out. I ask you to excuse me.’

Luke 14:19 CSB

Imagine missing out on the marriage supper of the Lamb because you bought a new car and wanted to take it for a spin instead! Ah, but for so many, this has been the reality. Earthly possessions have beguiled many out of their own soul.

Heavenly Father, on this wonderful Resurrection day we praise You to the highest heavens! You alone are God, and only You are worthy of glory. Thank You for all that You have done! Your way is LIFE! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

But without exception they all began to make excuses. The first one said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. I ask you to excuse me.’

Luke 14:18 CSB

Some of these excuses may sound to us ‘good’ excuses. In this case, this landowner wanted to be sure to make the best use of his new acquisition. He needed to get started making it profitable so as to be sure to recoup his costs.

As in the other examples, the person in question deems their current activity more important than the banquet the man was giving. Thus, all of these persons considered their excuse perfectly reasonable. So often people consider thier excuses against the gospel reasonable as well.

Heavenly Father, thank You for another day of life! We wake up each day and think of it as ours. But it is Yours. You see the evil and the good the day may hold, and You know all the possibilities. And You allow us to live in Your Presence. You are amazing God! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

At the time of the banquet, he sent his servant to tell those who were invited, ‘Come, because everything is now ready.’

Luke 14:17 CSB

One day that heavenly banquet will be ready. One day those who belong to the Lord will sit down together with Him to a great feast of fellowship. It will be so wonderful!

Heavenly Father, You are glorious beyond our wildest imagination. You faithful, consistent, love is our comfort all day long! Every morning Your mercies are new, and Your Spirit revives us. Thank You! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Then he told him, ‘A man was giving a large banquet and invited many.’

Luke 14:16 CSB

Jesus used lots of different illustrations and stories in His teaching. He wants to be sure that people have the opportunity to learn if they give it an effort.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your care for us. You are a good Father to us. You make our lives so much better than they would be without You. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

When one of those who reclined at the table with Him heard these things, he said to Him, ‘The one who will eat bread in the kingdom of God is blessed!’

Luke 14:15 CSB

Jesus did not argue with this individual’s sentiment. The speaker was. in essence, correct. However, as always, Jesus moved forward with teaching on the subject. He is always teaching. He wants people to understand the ‘kingdom of God’ as well as possible.

Heavenly Father, we tell ourselves so many lies, and so often misunderstand the truth we do know. But we can always count on You to teach us about You. You do not leave us without Your truth and have given us a mission to take your truth everywhere. Thank You! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray and praise You, Amen.

And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.

Luke 14:14 CSB

Doing good for those who cannot, or will not, repay you is truly a blessing. It is not yet clear what all awaits the righteous in heaven, but it will be wonderful.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your goodness! No matter what we may receive, You are our true reward! Thank You! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

On the contrary, when you host a banquet, invite those who are poor, maimed, lame, or blind.

Luke 14:13 CSB

Jesus here gives us a principle we find all the way through Scripture. The rich are meant to share with the poor. They are not to be forced to do it. But, they are to do it. Extra wealth is meant to be given, not taken. The righteous man who is able should give, and give freely, fully, and cheerfully. It is a blessed privilege.

Heavenly Father, You are amazing! You know everything, but more than that you understand everything because You are the Origin of all thought and wisdom. You have had it all from the beginning. Wisdom is Your possession, Your power and Your glory. Thank You for allowing me to be see some of your wisdom in Your Word! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

He also said to the one who had invited him, “When you give a lunch or a dinner, don’t invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors, because they might invite you back, and you would be repaid.

Luke 14:12 CSB

Jesus isn’t telling us never to have a birthday party for our child and invite loved ones and friends. He is building off of what He had just taught. The elites would take turns giving lavish dinners to impress each other. Instead, they should have spent their time blessing, and getting to know, the ‘least of these’ among their countrymen.

Heavenly Father, thank you for helping us in spite of ourselves. You are truly wonderful and You help us understand the mysteries of our lives. Thank You! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.

Luke 14:11 CSB

We can see this illustrated throughout all of history. And, this puts Jesus in direct opposition to the philosophy of many in history. Jesus speaks against the idea of self-promotion. We are to have a good reputation, and be respectful and respectable. But to be selfishly ambitious is not consistent with His teaching.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your help and love. Your supply is exactly what we actually need, rather than what we think we want. You know us better than we know ourselves. Thank You for Your mercy, grace, and goodness! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.