People who were invited

When one of those who heard the words “the resurrection of the righteous” (v 14), he exclaimed, “Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!” He was likely confident that he himself would have a seat at that table. But Jesus used a parable to teach that, unless one pays close attention, the outcome could be tragic. In those days, an invitation to a banquet was given in two parts: first as an advance notice, and then again when everything was ready. The master sent his servant to tell those who had been invited that the banquet was now ready. But they all began to make excuses and refused to come. (1) One said he had bought a field and needed to go see it. But who would buy a field without first inspecting it? This was merely an excuse. (2) Another said he had bought five yoke of oxen and was going to try them out. For the same reason, this too was just an excuse. (3) Another said he had just gotten married and therefore could not come. This is a misinterpretation of Deuteronomy 24:5 (which allowed a one-year exemption from military service). The master became angry and said, “Go out at once into the streets and lanes of the city and bring in here those who are poor, those with disabilities, those who are blind, and those who are limping” (v 21). The Jewish people were invited by God twice – first through the prophets, and then through Jesus. But the religious elites rejected that invitation. Those brought in from the streets and alleys are the “sinners” whom the leaders of Judaism had looked down upon. Only the sinners who responded to God’s invitation will take their seats at the banquet in heaven.

You are invited too

The parable does not end there. There were still empty seats. Finally, the master commanded, “Go out into the roads and the hedges and press upon them to come in, so that my house will be filled” (v 23). The roads and hedges refer to places outside the town, where few people pass by. Even in such places, they were to go and bring people in until the banquet was full. Here we can feel the passion of the master. The people outside the town represent the Gentiles. God, in order to fill the seats at the banquet, earnestly extended His invitation to us Gentiles as well. What happened as a result of the Gentiles being invited is not recorded. Perhaps the conclusion of this parable is meant to be written by each of our personal decisions. Have you accepted God’s invitation? Have you believed in His love? Let us rejoice that a seat has been prepared for us at the heavenly banquet.