Let us not reject God's invitation

In Luke 14:15-24, Jesus gave a parable of a man who prepared a banquet and sent out many invitations. However, when the banquet was ready, the guests declined to come giving a variety of excuses. The man then sent his servants to bring in the poor and crippled to replace those he had originally invited.

The parable can be interpreted as a representation of the Jews (in particular, the Pharisees) and their rejection of Jesus as the Messiah. The Jews were the chosen people, the firstborn. They were the first ones invited to eat at God's table. However, they had declined that invitation when they disbelieved Jesus' claims and crucified Him on a cross. God then, through the missionary efforts of the likes of Paul, called upon the non-Jews or Gentiles to come instead and be the first at His table. This was something that was very counter-intuitive, even insulting, to the Jews. The Jews thought themselves superior to the Gentiles, whom they saw as spiritually poor and crippled.

Why did the Jews reject God's invitation?

In the parable, the first guest gave the excuse that he had to go inspect his field. The second guest said he had to see to his oxens which he just bought. The third guest did not want to leave his wife. These people were not willing to give up a little of their time, relationships, work etc. to go to the banquet. The rich food of the banquet could not compete with the good life they already had. In the same way, the Jews (Pharisees) were unwilling to give up their status and pride and submit to Jesus, a poor carpenter who did not appear very messianic or kingly at all.

On the other hand, in the parable, the ones who did eventually go to the banquet were the poor and crippled. For these people, the riches of the banquet far outweighed their own resources such that it was easy for them to choose the former.

For us today, let us recognize our poor and crippled state. Let us recognize the deep need in ourselves not just for Christ's salvation, but also for His presence in our day-to-day lives. Let not our own abilities, wealth and pride blind us to the riches that God offers that are far far greater than anything we can ever possess or achieve on our own.