Jesus replied: "A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, 'Come, for everything is now ready.'What kind of feast was Jesus talking about?
"But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, 'I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.'
"Another said, 'I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I'm on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.'
"Still another said, 'I just got married, so I can't come.'
"The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, 'Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.'
" 'Sir,' the servant said, 'what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.'
"Then the master told his servant, 'Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full. I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.' "
I don't think we're just talking about a future feast in heaven. I'm not sure if the excuses make sense for that time frame. Once we're dead I think our days of excuse making will end. I think we're talking about something in our present lives that we are invited to partake in.
I think Jesus is talking about feasting with Him now in His kingdom. I think he's calling us to spend some quality time resting in His presence, partaking of His goodness, and seeking His will.
What kind of excuses do we have today?
OK, it looks like I won't be using any of the excuses listed... I'm already married, and don't plan on buying any oxen or fields in the foreseeable future.
But are there other things in our lives that we use as an excuse from spending quality time feasting and fellowshipping with our Lord and friend. It is very common, and easy to be busy with all sorts of things in our culture. Many of the things we get busy with are good things, there was nothing wrong with the excuses Jesus listed either... but feasting with Jesus is way better than anything else.
Summer schedules are often different than the rest of the year. As we head into our 'regular season' game plan, I pray we don't get too busy to feast with Jesus.
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