The Essential Jesus (Part 10): The Parables of JesusSample

Happy Meal

PRAY: Lord, please give me a deeper awareness of your presence as I read, reflect and pray.

READ: Luke 14:1-24

REFLECT: It's difficult to understand Jesus' parable about a great banquet (vv. 16-24) without first appreciating the tense situation he was in when he told it (vv. 1-15): a dinner party with an influential group of his enemies. Let's not miss that Jesus engaged with those who disagreed with him; he ate with them and prayed for them (Matthew 5:44).

But he also got angry with them for caring more about their petty rules (v. 3) than for a needy person (v. 2). When dos and don'ts become more important to us than showing compassion, we've lost touch with God's priorities, no matter how correct our rules may be. Religion based only on "being right" looks good on the outside, but it leads to pride on the inside (v.7).

Amid the tension, someone blurts out a holy-sounding statement about a feast in the kingdom of God (v. 15), perhaps thinking this "happy meal" was a wonderful example of what it will be like. Jesus responds with a parable that clarifies one thing: the kingdom of God will be nothing like this tense, exclusive dinner party.

So what does Jesus teach about the kingdom of God from this parable? First, God's intent is for all people to get in; the banquet host goes to extraordinary lengths to make it possible for everyone to attend (vv. 17, 21, 23). Second, God's kingdom is not just for the wealthy and talented or for those who have their act together; the banquet host also makes a special effort to include the down-and-outers, "the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame" (v. 21). Finally, it is possible to reject God's invitation (vv. 18-20, 24). These fictional excuses may sound silly, but they communicate an important truth: there's never a good reason for rejecting God's invitation.

Some day, God will host a great fellowship banquet for all who have chosen to follow Jesus. What a happy meal that will be!

APPLY: How could you take the initiative to engage with people that don't agree with you?

PRAY: Think of one person with whom you disagree. Spend some time praying for that person.