No Take Out

Luke 14:12-24

A common advertising gimmick is to offer a free gift to get you to listen or read the sales promotion. Frequently, you find out that in fact, you not only have to listen to the spiel, but buy the product as well to receive the gift. If you have to buy the product to receive it, you are paying for the “gift.” While you may be getting a discounted price, it is not truly a gift at all. It was offered to get something in return.

Christmas gifts are often given based on what is expected in return. For example, a company may give regular customers a catalog, but the largest ones something far nicer. Individuals sometimes give in the expectation that they will receive something nicer in return. When we give with the expectation of receiving something in return, it is no longer a gift, but a trade. God teaches us to give freely, in situations where there is no possibility of return.

“Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompense be made thee. But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.” (Luke 14:12-14)

Until we learn to give freely without consideration of what we will get in return, we are no different than any other person. Even the worst crooks will give a little to get more. Luke 6:32-35 states, “For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.” God’s blessings are for those who give without concern for what they will receive in return, not for those to whom it is a way of getting more.

“And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 14:15)

Nearly everyone knows that if you own your own business, you get to choose how things are done and receive all the profits from your labor, instead of just a small portion like you get working for someone else. There are tax benefits, and special discounts, and a measure of job security that no employee of the company will ever know. Despite the benefits, most people will never start their own business. Some do not start because they are so busy at their job they don’t have time, while others lack confidence to try. Others decide they’re just not ready to start yet. Only a very few will actually even start, and many of them will fail because they are not willing to invest themselves in the business.

In much the same way, most people think going to heaven sounds like a great thing. After all, who wouldn’t like to never feel pain again? Especially those who’ve lived with severe pain. Who wouldn’t like to never have to worry about money again, and especially if you just lost your job? However most people will not go for almost the same reasons that most people don’t start their own business. Jesus parable illustrates some of the reasons.

“Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.” (Luke 14:16-20)

One has bought a piece of land he and now he’s going out to see what it looks like? I imagine he checked it out pretty carefully before he put up the money! Same with the oxen. It’s just an excuse because to delay. One decides it is too important to take care of his family right now, so he can’t come. In every case, something else is more important to them than the benefits of attending the dinner.

“So that servant came, and showed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.” (Luke 14:21-22)

The opportunity was extended to everyone in the kingdom, even those who had nothing, and made others uncomfortable by their presence. Many of them were not able to do anything else, but still not enough came to even fill the tables, though it was free and all that was required was to take the trouble to come.

I can only imagine the excuses that were used, but knowing modern excuses, some would have included not being willing to dress up or not having a proper outfit, or having to miss the football game. Others would ask if a certain person would be their and decide based on whether he will or will not go. Some wouldn’t go because they might be embarrassed by not knowing how to act.

“And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.” (Luke 14:23)

The servant is to go back and deal with all their excuses. If they lack proper garments, substitutes are available, they can follow other’s examples to know how to act, and they will be welcomed despite visible flaws that might make them unwelcome in other situations. Anyone who didn’t attend the dinner missed out because he refused to go. Every effort had been made to ensure that he could go.

“For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.” (Luke 14:24)

No one will be allowed to take food for people who refused to come. They could come any time during the feast, but once it was over, there would be no more chances.

God’s invitation for salvation extends to every living person. It is available throughout their life, but once they die, their chance is over. They will not get another chance.

It would be ridiculous to get upset that part of banquet wasn’t saved for you if you didn’t bother to show up until two days later. Why should we expect God to have a plate saved for us, Especially when he is providing it free of charge. The fact that we didn’t show up while it was available implied we didn’t want it. He didn’t owe us salvation to begin with, and has no obligation to provide it if we change our minds and decide we want it after all.