The Parables Of Jesus - The Three Feasts: Part 4

The Parables Of Jesus - The Three Feasts: Part 4

In Luke 14:16-24, as we read the third feast parable, Jesus tells us the most difficult story to swallow. We all see this story unfold around us every day. It’s the story of the lost, the hurting and the needy and how they never learn to find God in their struggles. The feast is planned and the guests are all invited but, one by one, they all find an excuse to stay away.

Luke 14:18

“But they all alike began to make excuses.”

We all know exactly what is going on here. How many times have you and I seen this play out with friends of our own, who desperately need God in their lives but never seem to be able to let Him in? They are always too busy … or they’ve made other plans … or they didn’t feel well … or they were tired … or one of a hundred other excuses.

Let’s face it, they’ve been invited to a feast but they choose to stay at home and nibble on stale bread and cold leftovers. Why does this happen? It’s a very complicated equation but, it has been my experience that it has to do with two primary factors: apathy and fear.

We can possibly understand fear, but how could someone be apathetic to the feast of God? CS Lewis once said this:

“Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.”

In other words, the search for God can never be apathetic or something we put off till tomorrow. If God is true, He should be the driving impetus of everything we do. We should run to Him, embrace Him and bow down before Him. But we should never, ever, ever ignore and neglect Him.

There is nothing more important than seeking God and it is our challenge - indeed our privilege - to bring Him to those who need Him most.

On Monday: tying the three Feast Parables together.