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Author: Stephen Weller
572 words, 3 minutes read time

A Man Once Gave A Great Banquet

Scripture: Luke 14:15-16

In the previous lesson, Jesus gave us some instruction, through the use of a parable, about our motive in choosing who to invite to events like a dinner or a banquet. With this lesson we begin with a statement made by one who inclined at table with Jesus.

^{Lk 14:15} When one of those who reclined at table with him heard these things, he said to him, “Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!”

The person who was reclining at table with Jesus spoke and said, “Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!” In that cultural setting, the phrase “Blessed is everyone” seemed to be a common saying that was used, in this case, to change the conversation from the uncomfortable subject of the need to care for the infirmed and the poor to something less demanding, and that of eating “bread in the kingdom of God.”

In particular, that blessing is seen in Revelation 19:7, 9 ESV: 7 “Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready. 9 And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”’

Those who will experience the blessing of eating bread in the kingdom of God, must first become a member of that kingdom through spiritual birth which is obtain through grace by faith in Jesus and his finished work on the cross. Eternal life and entrance into the kingdom of God is a gift of God to obedient followers of Jesus Christ. “People will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God” (Luke 13:29 ESV).

^{Lk 14:16} “But he said to him, “A man once gave a great banquet and invited many.”’

Jesus will now use a parable, known as the parable of the great banquet, to clarify who will actually sit down to eat at the great banquet in the kingdom of God. A cross reference for “A man once gave” takes us to a similar parable, the parable of the wedding feast, found in Matthew 22:2 – 14 in which the man was “a king.” That was a separate teaching event at a different time according to the harmonization timeline. Both parables point out who will finally end up eating at the table and receiving the blessing.

The invitation list containing the names of many was prepared and sent out as a reminder of the coming event. Jesus often invited his listeners to come to him in faith. Some did and others didn’t and at the end many will turn from following him and joined the crowds that demanded he be crucified.

How do you suppose those on the invitation list responded? We will find out in the next lesson.

Conclusion

There is a great banquet coming up in which we as believers will attend. It will be a great and marvelous event that is difficult to imagine considering how many will then belong to the kingdom of God. Clearly God’s ways are beyond our imagination! Will you be there?