The Parable of the Great Banquet

Luke 14:15-24

Key Verse 14:23

In this passage we learn God’s earnest desire to invite all peoples on earth to His kingdom, so that in view of this desire, we the invitees would be ready for the occasion, and at the same time work diligently to carry out God’s will to see his kingdom becoming full. 

1. Read verse 15. What might have inspired this man to say what he did regarding the privilege to eat at the feast in the kingdom of God? (Luke 14:12-14)

** Jesus’ words in verses 12-14, particularly the expression “the resurrection of the righteous”. Remember the tragic condition of the life in a physical body which is dead because of sins. How glorious (or tasty ) would it be for one to be given a resurrected body like that of Jesus and participate in the eternal fellowship with the righteous in God’s presence?”

2. Verse 16 starts by saying, “Jesus replied…” What does the word “replied” indicate about the meaning(s) of the following words: 1) a certain man (the owner of the house); 2) a great banquet; 3) a ‘taste’ of my banquet; and 4) his servant?

** The word “replied” suggests that the parable has to do with the Kingdom of God, so that a certain man refers to God the Father, a great banquet refers to the feast (or fellowship) in the kingdom of God, a ‘taste’ suggests the good quality of life such as joy of salvation in God’s kingdom, and his servant refers to those who are sent by God to invite people to His kingdom with the gospel. 

3. Read verses 16-17. What does “Come, for everything is now ready” (especially the word “ready”) suggest about the work(s) put forth by the host in order to get the banquet ready? (John 14:2; Hebrews 11:10)

** It indicates that God’s kingdom is a prepared place, designed/built by God’s special design/ingenuity. It is not a random product. John 14:2 says that Jesus is working to prepare a place for the righteous. 

4. Think about the three excuses people made in verses 18-20. What is an “excuse”? Are these excuses acceptable? (Remember that they had already been ‘invited’ and must have agreed to come.) How can we overcome the same types of problems in our daily walk in the Lord? (1Co 7:31)

** Excuse means a request to be released from a certain duty which one had already promised to honor/fulfill.

** No. 

** By daily having ourselves ready for the occasion (i.e., the time of joining the feast to come) without indulging ourselves in the things of this world or human relationships with people of this world. 

5. Verses 21-24 describe the owner’s response to the peoples’ excuses. What do the following expressions tell us about the owner’s burning desire? 1) “bring [them] in”; 2) “there is still room; 3) “make them come in”; and 4) “so that my house will be full”. 

** The owner’s desire is to see all peoples on earth to be saved and fill his house so all of them would live in His presence. 

The end

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