LUKE 14:15-25 RESPONSE TO THE GOSPEL Quite often in the Gospel of Luke there are parables and stories that illustrate more than one important subject. Prophetically the parable of the great feast teaches us of a time when Israel was bidden to come to the blessing of fellowship with God. One after another, excuses are given and those people have, and still will, suffer from the choice of rejecting God's gracious invitation. The servant typifies the Holy Spirit who is sent out into the world to call those favored ones to come. Without exception they voiced their excuses, their lack of desire and interest, in the blessings of the great banquet.
Those to whom the Gospel is preached are without excuse because the Gospel goes out to "Whosoever will, let him come and take the water of life freely." In the parable of the great feast, every provision is made for a person to come "without money and without price." All of the cost for salvation has been paid in full and the invitation is given well in advance of the closing of the day of grace. The trifling excuses of people today show how little value they put on the things of God. A piece of land already purchased is not going to go anywhere while one attends a feast. If the man had not seen the land before buying it, he was a fool. If he had bought it after seeing it and used that as an excuse, he was a liar. His reason was plain and simple, he did not want to come.
The man who had bought ten oxen without testing them out to see what they were like was also showing an attitude that is common today. He just wasn't interested. If these animals had been given to him as a gift, his excuse wouldn't have been so lame. A gift of ten oxen would have been unheard of unless it was an inheritance. Even though he bought them, there isn't a suggestion they were in danger of being stolen or running away. The supper just wasn't important to him and he couldn't be bothered going. Many people consider the invitation of the Gospel to enter the kingdom of God to be unimportant to them. They would rather watch a game or indulge in something trivial and follow their own self-centered pursuits. They don't pay any attention to God's interests and consider what is important to others of no value to them. The only things that are of value to them are their own interests.
The newly married man and his wife would have both been welcomed at the feast. When it comes to the doctrine of salvation, the teaching is plain. God has made provision for all. To come into the good of the Gospel message, one has to want to hear and has the choice to respond to the invitation or reject it. The decision one make affects others beside himself. A wife will often listen to something that is important to her husband, and the husband in return listens to his wife. Children often follow the opinions and decisions of their parents. Friends also affect friends. One who rejects the gift of salvation has a great responsibility and there are serious consequences that follow in the future. We cannot make the decision that will make another person pay attention to the Word of God and the Gospel, but we can influence their decision to a great degree.
Those who were poor, maimed, blind and lame came from the "highways and hedges" and typify the Gentiles of the far parts of the world where the Spirit of God is working. They often respond quickly to the One who meets their need. There is nothing in them that recommends them to the grace offered. In their weakness and inability to help themselves, they quickly respond to the call of the Gospel. In many "Gospel favored" parts of the world, people turn away with deliberately deaf ears from the preaching of the Gospel. Other places where spiritual darkness prevails it seems more are responding to God's offer of mercy and are coming to Christ for salvation. Those who preach the Gospel as servants of God can warn the people and present the truth of the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ for sinners, but it is the work of the Holy Spirit to "compel" them by striving and convicting to come in repentance and put their faith in Christ. Those who reject are responsible for their rejection.
There is a benevolent and gracious God who is calling to all men. The call of the Gospel is going out inviting all to enter in. But strangely there are attitudes that lie outside of reason. Attractions that appeal the most are sin's "pleasure" for a season. So while the good news is sounded forth the majority go their own way And expect God to accept them into heaven when at the judgment day They say, "Lord, Lord" - and think these words are some magic key - Not willing to face the fact that choices made now affect our eternity.
Thank God for the Gospel, the word "Come" is not complicated. Those who respond in faith to that call will find themselves in heaven seated With those from every walk and clime who believed in simple faith The invitation they received meant that God has for them a place Where they could be accepted in Christ, assured God wanted them to come. And the message they took personally was for them from God alone, Who in kindness and grace provided for them what they could never earn. They entered in by faith, while many others the invitation did spurn.
In our hands is a Gospel message we heard and received ourselves. Now we are sent into the "highways and hedges" the Gospel invitation to tell. We can urge people to come, but the response is their personal decision. If they come, they are made welcome, if not they're responsible for their rejection. There are "times of visitation" where it seems the Holy Spirit "compels" - Many to trust in the Savior, the first-time hearing someone tell Of the blessings of salvation from sin and the consequences they accept. Some are saved for heaven; hell awaits all those who reject.
"Father, may Thy Gospel being preached in many places today result in many delivered from the wrath to come. Give encouragement, grace and power by Thy Spirit to those who are committed to reaching out in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to the lost. Amen."