526. LUK 14:16, LUK 14:24. THE GREAT SUPPER

Luk_14:16, Luk_14:24. The Great Supper

"Then said he unto them, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: and sent his servants at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready," &c.’97Luk_14:16, Luk_14:24.

One of the most common representations given of the gospel is that of a feast. This we not only meet with in the writings of the Jewish prophets, but in several of the parables of the Saviour. It is clear that the idea is that of the munificent preparation made to supply all the wants of perishing sinners. The supper to which our present subject refers, is described as a great one. Probably on account of the station and rank of the person who provided it, or on account of the abundance by which it was distinguished, or perhaps especially because of the great number of the guests invited, for he "bade many." In the conduct of those invited, we see exhibited the unbelief of the Jews to whom Christ came, and who first received the invitation of the gospel. But on their unbelief, the offer of salvation was extended to the Gentiles, and all men were bidden to come to the banquet of grace and partake freely. Observe,

I. The invitation first issued. Observe,

1. The time of the invitation. "At supper time." The evening of the day. At the introduction of the gospel dispensation by the Lord Jesus Christ.

2. The nature of the invitation. "Come." Come to the place of the banquet. Come and unite with the guests expected. Come and partake of the provision prepared. It was free, and generous, and direct.

3. The persons by whom the invitations were sent. By "his servants." The Lord Jesus as the servant of the Father, invited men. So also did his apostles and disciples by his express directions. Notice,

II. The rejection of the invitations by the invited guests. Observe,

1. The unanimity of their refusals. "They all with one consent," &c. They seemed to be actuated by the same spirit, and all began to make excuse. How fearfully illustrated in the general rejection of the Saviour by the Jewish nation. "He came unto his own," &c. "Who hath believed our report," &c. Notice,

2. The various reasons which they assigned.

(1.) The inspection of new bought property, Luk_14:18. His heart was so set upon his purchase, that he could not enjoy even a feast till he had seen it. He desired to gaze on the field which he had added to his former possessions. Hence covetousness, or the lust of the eye, was the impediment to the first. "How hardly shall they who nave riches enter into the kingdom of heaven."

(2.) Engrossing business was the next reason assigned. "I have bought five yoke of oxen, and must go and prove them," Diligence in the management of worldly affairs, is not only blameless but commendable. The apostolic direction is, "Diligent in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord." But here it absorbed the whole man,’97engrossed all his care and time. He could not spare a few moments for the supper, for the monopoly which worldly traffic had established in his soul.

(3.) Domestic duties were assigned by a third. "I have married a wife, and therefore cannot come." A regard to the claims of social life, is praiseworthy. A man should honor, and love, and care for the things of his wife. How beautiful to see domestic life enlightened and blessed by the cheering rays of enlightened affection and courtesy. But the wife is not to be the idol,’97not to have the throne,’97not to displace Jehovah. If a man love parents, or wife, or children more than Christ, he is not worthy of Christ. The folly, as well as sinfulness of these excuses, will be manifest, if you consider, that surely the man who bought the ground, would not do so, without first seeing it, nor purchase the oxen without first proving them. And the man had not pledged himself to his wife never to be absent from her, even to go to a feast. So that the excuses indicated the folly of the individuals, and showed that they felt no interest in the feast to which they were invited. Notice,

III. The invitations which were subsequently issued: Luk_14:21. "Then the master said, go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city," &c. Observe,

1. How extended the commission. "To the streets," &c. No longer to special persons, but to the mass. Just so when the kingdom of heaven was opened to the perishing Gentiles. To all the world and to every creature.

2. How benevolent the arrangement. "Now the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind," are invited. The necessitous and perishing. The wretched and unfortunate.

3. How urgent the appeal. These crowded to the supper, but still the provision was so ample, and the banqueting hall so large, that yet there was room. Then the invitations were still further extended,’97unto the "highways, hedges," with this additional injunction, "Compel them to come in." That is, entreat,’97persuade,’97urge,’97constrain,’97to induce the wretched to come,’97"That my house may be filled." The whole concludes with the expressed displeasure of the Master of the feast, "that none of those which were first bidden, should taste of his supper." Here is intimated the rejection of the Jewish nation, which has been fearfully ratified by the centuries which have rolled round since that period.

Learn,

1. That in the gospel, abundant provision is made for the spiritual wants of mankind.

2. That the invitations of divine mercy include all ranks and conditions of men.

3. That these invitations are free and full, and urgently and sincerely presented by the Lord Jesus Christ.

4. That only self-excluders will be refused a place at the feast of salvation.

5. That it is the duty and interest of all, immediately and gratefully to obey the invitation and sit down at the gracious banquet.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS