A Great Banquet (Luke 14:15-23)

Our God has prepared a great banquet and invited many guests. This invitation has been going on centuries over centuries, urging the people to respond to come and dine in the great banquet. Here to know what the banquet means is the key to understand the parable. It is the wedding banquet of the Lamb with the church. The first notable thing of this banquet is invisible right now. It doesn’t mean it will happen in the future like after death. Though it is true that after death we enter into eternity, that’s not the point of this parable. The invitation to the wedding banquet is so real and urgent that it shall be responded immediately now. The kingdom of God is not a remote place in space where someday we enter into. Rather, it is where all frustration, anger, despair, suffering, pain, sorrow, comfort, enrichment, strength, empowerment occur in the invisible realm and where God reigns and rules in the midst of the devil’s rebellion.

“When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, ‘Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.’” (Luke 14:15)

When they heard Jesus saying the one who invites the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous, one of them at the dinner table was inspired and said, “Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.” This anonymous man should have understood that Jesus was talking about the feast in the future after death. Now our Lord Jesus reveals the truth who is qualified to eat at the feast in the kingdom of God in the earth now and in eternity.

Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’

“But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’

“Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’

“Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’” (Luke 14:16-20)

At the time of the banquet, the host of the banquet sent his servant to tell the invited guests, “Come, for everything is now ready.” But they all alike began to make excuses. The first just possessed a field and made excuse to go and see it. Another bought five yoke of oxen and made excuse to try them out. Another just got married and couldn’t come to the banquet.

Now are those things like buying a field and oxen and getting married wrong? Absolutely not. These are perfectly normal activities in our human lives. The Maker of the universe should know better than that. There is no doubt at all. No, our Lord Jesus does not say that there are something wrong in trading essential possessions and getting married themselves.

Then what is wrong when they make excuses not to come to the banquet? It really lies how to perceive what the invitation of the wedding feast is because it’s what is going on right now to all of us. The words of Jesus is truth which reveals what the true humanity is. Our Lord Jesus knows as the Maker and Designer what we are and thus what we truly need now and forever. What is seen is not all what we live by. Mostly we live by what is unseen. Without air we can’t breathe. What force does make the human heart function faithfully and consistently day and night? Where does the gravitational force come from? What does cause the mighty forceful wind? What force does stop the relentless waters at the shore?

Humans do not exist randomly and accidently that we live in the earth for a while and disappear forever. Although the world says so, it is not true. Humans are more than physical beings that once exist and get gone forever. It is too big for humans to make up themselves on their own. It is too complicated for us to understand what the makeup of everything is in human life.

Why do so many young people commit suicide? Why are so many people suffering from neurosis, psychosis, and various mental illnesses? Why are we constantly experiencing unquenchable worries and anxieties? What about unperceivable and untraceable fear which produces cold sweat in our back? What about depression and despair, lurking around and behind and haunting down and making our hearts wrecked and ruined? What about bitter sweetness in the midst of happy and achieving moments of life?

What’s wrong with our humanity? Although the world seems to deliver much of solutions if we work on certain issues using the intelligent mind and education and legislations and the works of committees, in fact it does not bring anything at all. Look all the achievements in our history which we really want to take pride ourselves like the technological advancements and scientific discoveries especially in medicine and information technology. However, after all it doesn’t improve even a bit in the realm of human morality. Humans have been gone wrong since Adam ate the tree of good and evil. That’s called the fall of race. Human beings have been trapped into the self-dependence on them rather than depending on the Creator God. That’s called the deadly poisonous sin of humanity.

Our God knows us what we are better than what we know of ourselves. That’s why our God sent his servant to tell the invited guests to come and dine in the banquet. The host says, “Come, for everything is now ready.” Responding to the invitation and coming to the banquet is more urgent and significant than anything else, even the essential things in our lives like taking care of the field purchased and trying out the oxen bought and getting married. There is no time to delay for our humanity needs to enter into the banquet where everything is now ready.

What does the banquet signify? It does sharing the love, joy, and peace of God. Coming to the banquet is to take all inheritance our God has promised to give to his beloved children by faith in the fellowship with Christ Jesus the Lord. Entering into the fellowship with Christ Jesus the Lord is the way to have life in full and more abundantly. Apostle John puts bluntly that whoever has the Son has life and whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life (1 John 5:12). Our Lord Jesus is the true bread of life that came down from heaven.

“Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.” (John 6:53)

Entering into the fellowship with Christ Jesus is that we shall continue to do daily without ceasing. “Come, for everything is now ready,” says the Lord Jesus. All the saints in Christ are invited to come and dine with the Lord of grace and truth who lavishly gives eternal life.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

What’s happen to those who refuse to come the banquet? Here our Lord Jesus reveals the truth that the inevitable consequence shall follow to those who make excuses not to come and dine in the table of the Lord.

“The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’

“‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’

“Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full. I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’” (Luke 14:21-24)

The owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant to go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town to bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame. There were still room, said the servant to the master. Then the servant was sent out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in until the house was full.

Jesus teaches his disciples who is blessed in the kingdom of God. “Blessed are poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3)

The poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame are the representatives of those who are spiritually bankrupt that they have nowhere else to go but unto God because they have nothing to depend upon on earth. It is not the field, nor five yoke of oxen, nor marriage to depend in finding the abundance of life. They have found the fountain of life in Jesus Christ who is faithful and just and never fails in giving in full whatever asked in his name.

Those who reject the invitation to the banquet where everything is now ready will not get a taste of the Lord’s abundant and overflowing provisions—love, joy, peace. Apostle Paul admonished the saints in the church of Corinth so pertinently, reflecting the significance of accepting our Lord’s invitation and come and dine in his table now and in the midst of daily routine lives.

“What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not; those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.” (1 Corinthians 7:29-31)

Prayer: Our Father in heaven, Thank you for the words of rebuke and soberness on our slowness and ignorance to the urgent invitation to come and dine in the table of the Lord. May God help us not to delay of coming to the banquet where everything is now ready but to run into the glorious fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.  

November 26, 2015

© 2015 David Lee Ministries – All Rights Reserved.

Place of Honor (Luke 14:1-14)

Luke continues carefully following our Lord’s teachings and revelations on life. To his eyes every word Jesus spoke and every act he did penetrates through the illusion and delusion of fallen race. The world is full of twisted and distorted truths for the cunning and crafty devil is manipulating the mind of humans. The devil is called the prince of the kingdom of air and the world of darkness. Under a strong man (the devil) the goods in his palace are safe and secure until a stronger man (Jesus Christ) comes and binds the devil and liberates the captives (Luke 11:21-22). That’s what our Lord Jesus was doing in the first century, going through the villages and towns and teaching them as he made his way to Jerusalem. Our Lord was invited for dinner in the house of a prominent Pharisee and went to eat with them. Although Jesus knew he was being vehemently opposed and carefully watched by the Pharisees, he stepped in the house of the Pharisee. There our Lord rolled out the truth on who is truly honored and respected in his kingdom.

”One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched. There in front of him was a man suffering from abnormal swelling of his body. Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in the law, ‘Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?’ But they remained silent. So taking hold of the man, he healed him and sent him on his way. Then he asked them, ‘If one of you has a child or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull it out?’ And they had nothing to say.” (Luke 14:1-6)

In the midst of being carefully watched, our Lord Jesus healed a man suffering from abnormal swelling of his body. The experts in the law and the Pharisees remained silent when Jesus asked them whether it was lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not. Jesus knew what they were thinking. They hardened their hearts to rebel against Jesus Christ whom they thought a law breaker. Regardless of their stubbornness and opposition our Lord Jesus did what the Father in heaven wanted him to do. The Son of Man came down to earth to do the will of the Father. Isaiah prophesied what the Son of Man would do some seven hundred years before Christ came.

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:18-19)

Our Lord Jesus came down to earth to proclaim good news to all people especially to the poor and freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, and to set the oppressed free. That’s the will of the Father for the Son to do even before the time began. To make alive those who were dead in sins and transgressions is the work of the Father who anointed the Son to suffer and die with the blood in our place. After healing the man Jesus told a parable which reveals what the true place of honor is.

“When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: ‘When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, “Give this person your seat.” Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, “Friend, move up to a better place.” Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.’” (Luke 14:7-11)

Jesus noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table and told them this parable. Most likely the Pharisees picked the places of honor because they loved to be respected and honored in public. Jesus gave a warning to the Pharisees who loved the most important seats in the synagogues and respectful greetings in the marketplace. Wherever they go they want to be recognized and respected by the people.

“Woe to you Pharisees, because you love the most important seats in the synagogues and respectful greetings in the marketplaces.” (Luke 11:43)

Why are the people so obsessed to be respected and honored? It is not wrong to have been honored and respected since the urge to be honored and respected in humanity is the reflection of the imprinted image of God. But what’s gone wrong is that they look after it from the wrong resource. They think that they can get honor and respect from other people in the name of status and position. The scriptures say that all honor and respect and glory are coming from God. Even our Lord Jesus did not seek the earthly glory but the true glory which the Father sought after.

“I am not seeking glory for myself; but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge.” (John 8:50)

That’s the point of this parable. Anyone seeks the place of honor for themselves shall be ashamed when a more distinguished person comes. But anyone who does not seek the place of honor for themselves shall be honored by the host in the presence of all the other guests. Note that the place of honor is not something they have taken but given by the host of the table. No one deserves to be honored and respected because no one is righteous in the sight of God. Only by grace and mercy anyone can be honored and respected through faith in him who generously gives.

“So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.'" (Luke 17:10)

Our Lord Jesus Christ demonstrated this through his life on earth. Though he was God he emptied himself and became a servant in the likeness of man and gave up his life in obedience to the Father in the cross of Calvary. Though our Lord was the most distinguish man in the dinner table, he didn’t seek the place of honor for himself. Rather, he gave his life unto the Father in heaven who would dispose true honor and glory justly and faithfully to those who follow the footstep of Christ Jesus the Lord. That’s what it means of the saying of our Lord Jesus.

“For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 14:11)

When the Son submitted and gave his life unto the Father in heaven to the point of death, God honored the Son and exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name in heaven and on earth and under the earth.

“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11)

Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” (Luke 14:12-14)

This is a test to know whether anyone stands in the side of the Lord Jesus Christ or not. The test is to seek honor and glory on earth or in heaven. Our God is the God of reward. Hebrews says so.

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

Those who seek reward on earth they have already been paid in full and will be broke in heaven. But those who invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind who cannot repay will be blessed and receive reward in heaven. Jesus revealed the truth in heaven that those who have been faithful with a few things will be put in charge of many things and come and share the master’s joy. Entering into the joy of the Lord is the greatest reward in heavenly places for the faithful servants.

“His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'” (Matthew 25:23)

The measurement of life does not lie on whether or not we receive honor and glory in this age. Our God sees and knows our heart. The prominent Pharisee who invited Jesus to the dinner table didn’t pay any attention to the most distinguished person who was present in the midst. So, the question is, “Do I pay honor and respect and glory to the Lord Jesus Christ in the midst now? Or do I seek my own honor and glory?”

Prayer: Our compassionate and generously giving Father in heaven, Thank you for teaching us who is truly honored and respected in heaven. God help us not to seek our own glory and honor but pay our full attention and respect and glory to the Lord Jesus Christ who is present in our midst. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

November 21, 2015 

© 2015 David Lee Ministries – All Rights Reserved.

Jerusalem, Jerusalem (Luke 13:31-35)

This event draws our full attention because it shows our Lord’s full of assurance and confidence in the midst of pressure. He was told that King Herod wanted to kill him. It must have been an alarm for him that he might have retreated his ministry from the Herod’s jurisdiction of Galilee to somewhere else. But it didn’t bother him at all. Could he be a man who held such a serenity at the terrifying tips? Yes, he was fully a human born of a woman and that’s what the Gospel of Luke depicts our Lord Jesus as the Son of Man. He was the man what God intended man to be before time began.

“At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, ‘Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.’ He replied, ‘Go tell that fox, I will keep on driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal. In any case, I must press on today and tomorrow and the next day—for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!’” (Luke 13:31-33)

Some Pharisees came to Jesus and suggested him to leave this place and go somewhere else for King Herod wanted to kill him. The Scripture tells that the Pharisees and Herodians were united to kill Jesus though they were politically against each other. How did our Lord Jesus respond? He called Herod fox. It’s not a command to go tell Herod the fox but a rhetoric statement to indicate that he was a cunning and crafty man. When our Lord Jesus was arrested the Jews turned him over to Governor Pontius Pilate. Pilate learned that he was a Galilean and under Herod’s jurisdiction and sent him over to King Herod who was in Jerusalem at that time (Luke 23:6-7) Herod wanted to be entertained himself by piling many questions on him but our Lord Jesus gave him no answer.

“When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased, because for a long time he had been wanting to see him. From what he had heard about him, he hoped to see him perform a sign of some sort. He plied him with many questions, but Jesus gave him no answer.” (Luke 23:8-9)

Herod was an Edomite, descent of Esau who sold his birthright with a bowl of red stew. Jesus warned his disciples of the yeast of Herod which means the worldly mindset ruled by the power of darkness and deceitfulness. He was the representative of the man of earth and flesh which is diabolically opposing the Spirit. Earthly mind never understands the things in heaven and rejects the truth. That’s why our Lord Jesus gave him no answer at all.

“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.” (Galatians 5:16-17)

Our Lord Jesus was fully assured and remained calm and serene when he was told that the fox wanted to kill him. How could he be so assured of what he was going to do and achieve? It’s because he fully trusted in the hand of the Father who sent him to do his work. There is nothing in heaven and on earth and under the earth greater than God. No power can prevail that of God because all power is derived from him. Our Lord’s confidence is right and logically true because it’s grounded on the truth of God.

“He replied, ‘Go tell that fox, “I will keep on driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.” In any case, I must press on today and tomorrow and the next day—for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!’” (Luke 13:32-33)

No one runs the course of history but God alone. How cunning and clever the plan of the intelligent mind of the world it is! However, look what they have done and accomplished. Nothing. There have been wonderful achievements in science and technology. But in the realm of morality, they have not improved a bit. It’s a total failure. Why? It’s because humans are the bundle of problems. Jesus says that no blind man can lead the blind.

Our Lord Jesus knew that he would be cut off and become nothing as Prophet Daniel prophesied (Daniel 9:26). The Scripture calls it God’s appointed time. Jesus repeatedly taught his disciples that he would suffer much and die by the hands of elders and leaders and on the third day he would rise again from the dead. He knew that his time was approaching set by none other than the Father himself. Jesus exactly knew his time and taught the disciples not to worry because all life lies in the hand of the Father in heaven.

"Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world's light.” (John 11:9)

Seizing the opportunity, our Lord Jesus reveals the hidden truth before the creation of world. He lamented over Jerusalem because they refused the stretching hand of God over and over again.

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’” (Luke 13:34-35)

This is the heart of God. He desires to gather his children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings. What a beautiful picture that is! Chicks are safe and secure under their hen’s wings. Predators lurk out there to snatch chicks at any moment. God endured his people of Israel that Jerusalem might have repented and entered into the full riches of fellowship with the Father. But they refused and killed the prophets and stoned those sent to them. Now Jerusalem was poised to kill the prophet whom they were waiting for years and years.

Despite their repeated rejections and failures God kept the promise to send his Son Jesus Christ that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son through whom anyone may have life and have it more abundantly. Prophet Isiah prophesied how much God was willing to give his people the waters, wine and milk to drink without money and without cost and bread to delight in the richest of fare.

“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare.” (Isaiah 55:1-2)

Our Lord Jesus says his disciples to believe that the Father in heaven is willing to give them the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.

“If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" (Luke 11:13)

But Jesus says that one thing which cannot be forgiven is to speak against the Holy Spirit. Speaking against the Holy Spirit doesn’t mean to fail and trespass at times in the Christian experience because we all do fail and sin in the midst of pressure and difficulties of life. Rather, it means to keep on rejecting the testimony of the Spirit who speaks the truth regarding the Son Jesus Christ.

“Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.” (Matthew 12:32)

That’s the reason our Lord Jesus lamented over Jerusalem because they kept on refusing to repent even though God sent his begotten Son Jesus Christ.

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.” (Luke 13:24)

Now their rejection of the Son of the blessed God is so serious that their house has been left desolate until the coming of Jesus Christ in the name of the Lord.  

“Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’” (Luke 13:35)

Our God is compassionate and merciful and does not want anyone to perish at all. Our God is like father in the parable of the lost son. The arm of God is open for anyone who repents and comes to him and welcomes and gives eternal life. There is an undeniable evidence of his love manifested in the Son Jesus Christ who took up the sin of the world and died. Choice is ours whether to respond to his unfathomable love. One produces delight, richness, joy, full of life, and more abundantly. The other does lament, weeping, sorrow, pain, and more desperately. Hear the cry of Prophet Isaiah for repentance and the change of heart.

“But concerning Israel he says, ‘All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.’” (Romans 10:21)

Prayer: Loving compassionate Father in heaven, thank you for your open arm and stretched hands for disobedient and stubborn people like us to repent and come unto him and have life in full and more abundantly. In Christ’s name. Amen.

November 10, 2015 

© 2015 David Lee Ministries – All Rights Reserved.