Lk14:15-24 That My House May Be Filled
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# That My House
May Be Filled ## Luke 14:15-24 [Toa Heftiba](https://unsplash.com/photos/uhlTPoH2Eb0 "caption") >>> + world in midst of **crisis** + new coronavirus is **deadly**, contagious, and global + impacted **jobs**, schooling, even **family** life: + many **elderly** isolated + stressed + parents suddenly have to **homeschool** kids + natural to ask: is it going to get **better**? + when will we get back to **normal**? --- # How do I respond when God **interrupts** my life? >>> + do I cling to the **familiar** for security? + now more than ever, we're looking for **hope** + but **what** is it we're hoping for? + every crisis is a **turning point**: + reveals our **hearts** + opportunity to reexamine our **priorities** + and find hope that is **lasting** + sure + let's look to the **Scriptures**, + together: **behold** the **Lamb** of God + who takes away the **sin** of the world + [brief opening **prayer**] + [then **review**] + [then today's **passage**] --- ## [Luke:](# "ref") the **Kingdom** of God + Jesus uses many **parables** to describe + What the kingdom of God is *like*, and + Who will *enter* it + [(13:22-30)](# "ref") Parable of the **narrow gate**: + "Lord, *open* to us" + "I do not *know* where you come from.
*Depart* from me!" [Brandenburg Alps, Austria. Paul Gilmore](https://unsplash.com/photos/qKIaA41lMjM "caption") >>> + In Luke, Jesus **tells** us + what the **kingdom** of God is like, by + how He **heals** + performs miracles, + teaching in **parables**, and + His **actions** leading to the cross + Here the **mid-section** of Luke is + marked by many **parables** --- ## [Luke 14:](# "ref") Teachings at a **Feast** + [(v1-6)](# "ref") Man ill with *edema*: + **Healing** more important than rules + [(v7-11)](# "ref") *Guests* taking seats of honour: + **Humble** yourself, that God may exalt + [(v12-14)](# "ref") *Host* of banquet: + **Hospitality** to those who cannot repay + Today: [v15-24](# "ref") Who is **worthy** to enter + the **feast** in the kingdom of God? [Gaetano Gandolfi, "The Marriage at Cana", 1766](http://art.thewalters.org/detail/29388 "caption") >>> + Setting of ch14: **banquet** + at home of prominent **Pharisee** + reminds us to: + beware **hardening** against Jesus + beware **exalting** oneself + show **hospitality** to those who can't repay you + reward at **resurrection** of righteous + at this, a fellow **guest** remarks: + how wonderful to **feast** in the kingdom of God! + implied: how wonderful for **us** + **assumes** he will enter kingdom of God + today's parable is Jesus' **reply**: + don't be so **sure** you're going to be at that feast! ****** [15](# "ref") 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!” [Luke 14:15-24 (ESV) (p.1/6)](# "ref") ****** [16](# "ref") But he said to him, “A man once gave
a great banquet and invited many. [17](# "ref") And at the time for the banquet
he sent his servant to say
to those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ [Luke 14:15-24 (ESV) (p.2/6)](# "ref") ****** [18](# "ref") But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a field,
and I must go out and see it.
Please have me excused.’ [19](# "ref") And another said, ‘I have bought
five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them.
Please have me excused.’ [Luke 14:15-24 (ESV) (p.3/6)](# "ref") ****** [20](# "ref") And another said, ‘I have married a wife,
and therefore I cannot come.’ [21](# "ref") So the servant came
and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house became angry
and said to his servant, [Luke 14:15-24 (ESV) (p.4/6)](# "ref") ****** ‘Go out quickly
to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled
and blind and lame.’ [22](# "ref") And the servant said,
‘Sir, what you commanded has been done,
and still there is room.’ [Luke 14:15-24 (ESV) (p.5/6)](# "ref") ****** [23](# "ref") And the master said to the servant,
‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in,
that my house may be filled. [24](# "ref") For I tell you, none of those men
who were invited shall taste my banquet.’” [Luke 14:15-24 (ESV) (p.6/6)](# "ref") --- ## [Lk14:](# "ref") Parable of the Banquet 1. **Rejoicing** [(v16-17)](# "ref") 1. **Rejection** [(v18-20)](# "ref") 1. **Redemption** [(v21-24)](# "ref") >>> + On first read, wonder **why** was master so **angry**? + guests' **excuses** seem reasonable + can't just **drop** everything for your party + dive **deeper**, parallel in **Mt22:1-14** + understand bit more of **heart** of Father + 3 **parts**: outline of **salvation**, mini-gospel 1. master's **invitation** to share in celebration + focus not on **guests** + but on master's **joy** which he wishes to share 2. **response** of those invited: fall/sin, priorities 3. **extend** invitation to all who **accept** + **share** His joy + to **fill** His house + First: focus on **heart** of Father --- A man once gave
a great **banquet** and invited **many**. [Luke 14:16 (ESV)](# "ref") The kingdom of heaven may be compared to
a **king** who gave a **wedding feast** for his son [Matthew 22:2 (ESV)](# "ref") [Photos by Lanty](https://unsplash.com/photos/O38Id_cyV4M "caption") >>> + **huge** celebration (king would've been very **wealthy**) + nice: **kingdom of heaven** like a wonderful **celebration** + what beautiful **hope**! ______ + for us, we rarely have big **celebrations**: + wedding, baby shower, etc. + e.g., our wedding banquet had **26 tables** (friend's had **40**) + agonised over **guest list** + esp. **out-of-town** friends+relatives + but main focus is **not** on guests (who "makes the **cut**") + focus on **reason** for our joy: thank **God** for Providence + and want to **share** that joy with others --- And at the **time** for the banquet
he sent his servant to say
to those who had been **invited**,
"Come, for everything is now **ready**." [Luke 14:17 (ESV)](# "ref") "My **oxen** and my fat calves
have been **slaughtered**" [Matthew 22:4 (ESV)](# "ref") >>> + a celebration that **big** would have been + **planned** well in advance: **save-the-date** + those invited would have already **RSVPd** + when **time** came, too late to **cancel** + **meat**'s going to spoil + king is **looking forward** to + **sharing** his joy w/guests + in the same way, the **King of kings** + has a **celebration** planned + after the final **judgment**: --- And I saw the **holy city**, new Jerusalem,
coming down out of **heaven** from God,
prepared as a **bride** adorned for her husband. [Revelation 21:2-4 (ESV) (p.1/4)](# "ref") --- [3](# "ref") And I heard
a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold!
the **dwelling place** of God is with man. [Revelation 21:2-4 (ESV) (p.2/4)](# "ref") --- He will dwell with them,
and they will be **his people**, and God himself will be with them
as **their God**. [Revelation 21:2-4 (ESV) (p.3/4)](# "ref") --- [4](# "ref") He will wipe away every **tear** from their eyes, and **death** shall be no more,
neither shall there be **mourning**,
nor **crying**, nor **pain** anymore, for the **former** things have passed away.” [Revelation 21:2-4 (ESV) (p.4/4)](# "ref") >>> + this is our ultimate **hope**! + Yes, we must still be **vigilant** in + **defending** against disease + but we can never **eradicate** it + bc **death**, pain, and sin belong to + this **present** age + but we have a future **hope** + the **wedding** feast + culmination of God's plan of **salvation** --- # What **joy** does
the King wish
to **share** with us? >>> + **hard** to think about God's **promises** + seem so **far** away + my **stress** / need / pain is right **now** + and that's exactly our **problem**: + we are focused on getting **back** to + our **busy** lives + we've neglected to look **forward** to + the future **hope** which God has + **reserved** for those who accept it + [prompt for pause] --- ## [Lk14:](# "ref") Parable of the Banquet 1. Rejoicing [(v16-17)](# "ref") 1. **Rejection** [(v18-20)](# "ref") 1. Redemption [(v21-24)](# "ref") >>> + first, understand the **master's** joy + wants to **share** with others + now, we turn to those who were **invited**: + Jews, the **churched** + those who have heard Christ's **call** + and even said "**yes**" to God! (**RSVP**: e.g., baptized) + their **excuses** indicate they **prioritize** + their **own** endeavours over + the **joy** of the king --- "I have bought a **field**,
and I must go out and see it.
Please have me **excused**." [19](# "ref") "I have bought five yoke of **oxen**,
and I go to examine them." [20](# "ref") "I have **married** a wife,
and therefore I **cannot** come." [Luke 14:18-20 (ESV)](# "ref") [Helsinki, Finland. Thomas Drouault](https://unsplash.com/photos/IBUcu_9vXJc "caption") >>> + field: buy property, **possessions** + oxen: invest in biz, build **career** + married: **relationships** / family + all good **blessings** from God, that normally **fill** our lives + **obligations** ("must", "cannot"): + e.g., Chinese **work ethic** + **responsibility** more important than **celebration** ______ + COVID19: all these on **hold**: crisis + interruption causes us to reexamine our **priorities** + clarify: God is not **pleased** w/COVID + our world + bodies are **broken** bc **sin** of all mankind + in the **midst** of our trials, God sends **reminders** time + again --- They paid **no attention** and went off,
one to his **farm**,
another to his **business**, [6](# "ref") while the rest **seized** his servants,
treated them **shamefully**,
and **killed** them. [Matthew 22:5-6 (ESV)](# "ref") [Raphael, "St. Paul Preaching in Athens", 1515](http://www.the-athenaeum.org/art/detail.php?ID=34558 "caption") >>> + servants represent **prophets** + who **spoke** Word of God + unpopular **truth** in times of extreme **disaster** + All along, God is **offering** us a **pathway** to peace + but we treat his reminders as **bothersome** + in the preceding **chapter**: --- O Jerusalem, Jerusalem,
the city that **kills** the prophets
and **stones** those who are sent to it! How often would I have
gathered your **children** together
as a **hen** gathers her brood under her wings, and you were **not willing**! [Luke 13:34 (ESV)](# "ref") [Michael Anfang](https://unsplash.com/photos/LAVcmB1Gli0 "caption") >>> + God longs to **comfort** + protect w/**motherly** love + keep us **close** to Him + it is **we** who are unwilling + trust in our **independence** + when God **reminds** us to **adjust** our priorities, + we either **ignore** Him, or say: + "you're **interrupting** my daily life" + "your party isn't **that** important to me" + "why must you keep **pestering** me?" + again, in **Isaiah**: --- For thus said the Lord God,
the Holy One of Israel, “In **returning** and **rest** you shall be saved;
in **quietness** and in **trust**
shall be your strength.” But you were **unwilling**! [Isaiah 30:15 (ESV)](# "ref") [Savoie, France. Thomas Tixtaaz](https://unsplash.com/photos/rdwkamJlpiU "caption") >>> + He offers **salvation** + strength + as we **return** to Him (= repent) + w/both humble **stillness** and faithful **action** + but we **don't want** it! + the **lifestyles** we've built for ourselves + become **essential** to us + like the **Pharisees**, we are + so proud of having the **invitation** + but do we actually want to **go**? --- # Do I **hope** for Christ's **return**,
or **cling** to my own lifestyle? >>> + end times are complete **upheaval** of way of life + prior to Christ's **return**, there will be increased + **natural** disasters: famine, disease + **human** disasters: war, betrayal + our **hope** is not that God restores our **"normal"** daily habits + but a far greater **joy**: the joy of the **victorious** King + [pause for discussion] --- ## [Lk14:](# "ref") Parable of the Banquet 1. Rejoicing [(v16-17)](# "ref") 1. Rejection [(v18-20)](# "ref") 1. **Redemption** [(v21-24)](# "ref") >>> 1. Master has a **reason** to celebrate + wants to **share** His joy 2. Those invited just want to get on w/**regular life** + **annoyed** at master's reminders 3. Master's **reaction**: + **extend** invitation to all who would **share** His joy + judgment + **shame** for those who **rejected** --- Then the master of the house became **angry**
and said to his servant, ‘Go out **quickly**
to the **streets** and **lanes** of the city, and bring in the **poor** and **crippled**
and **blind** and **lame**.’ [Luke 14:21 (ESV)](# "ref") [Vancouver, BC. Aditya Chinchure](https://unsplash.com/photos/ghbepAO7BCs "caption") >>> + **angry** (even more severe in Mt), w/**urgency** + **streets** + alleys of city: + both big and **small** streets + **poor**, crippled (injured in limbs), + blind, lame (stopped, unable to walk) + these who are **needy** are more + **appreciative** of the Master's **hospitality** + but he doesn't **stop** there! + there's still **room**, so: --- And the master said to the servant,
‘Go out to the **highways** and **hedges** and **compel** people to come in,
that my house may be **filled**. [Luke 14:23 (ESV)](# "ref") [Venray, Netherlands. Michael Coury](https://unsplash.com/photos/DiKkJKvDi64 "caption") >>> + **countryside**, farther afield: not **enough**, need more + not nec. poor, **any** + all comers + **compel**: constrain, pressure + might not **know** host, initially **reluctant** + gave the **invited** a chance (i.e., Jews: **churched**) + now invites **everyone** (i.e., Gentiles, ends of **earth**) + objective is to **fill** house w/those who **share** his joy + so that: --- For I tell you, **none** of those men
who were **invited** shall taste my banquet. [Luke 14:24 (ESV)](# "ref") [Piha Beach, NZ. Tim Marshall](https://unsplash.com/photos/Wa-gS5R58gA "caption") >>> + **redemption** is not only about + God's **grace** on the undeserving + but also God's **judgment** on those who **reject** his gift + in Matthew, the king declares: --- The wedding feast is ready,
but those **invited** were not **worthy**. [Matthew 22:8 (ESV)](# "ref") [Jordan Arnold](https://unsplash.com/photos/Ul07QK2AR-0 "caption") >>> + **receiving** invitation (hearing God's word) + **doesn't** make us worthy + being **poor** doesn't make us worthy + being **holy** doesn't make us worthy + it took **action** (coming to the feast) + w/**intent** (to share Master's **joy**) + parable in **Mt** has an interesting **epilogue**: --- But when the king came in
to look at the **guests**, he saw there
a man who had no **wedding garment**. [12](# "ref") And he said to him,
"Friend, how did you **get in** here
without a **wedding garment**?"
And he was **speechless**. [Matthew 22:11-14 (ESV) (p.1/3)](# "ref") [Jakarta, Indonesia. Hardini Lestari](https://unsplash.com/photos/MujZAKea8Lw "caption") --- [13](# "ref") Then the king said to the attendants, "**Bind** him hand and foot and
**cast** him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be
**weeping** and gnashing of teeth." [Matthew 22:11-14 (ESV) (p.2/3)](# "ref") [Ukraine. Paul Itkin](https://unsplash.com/photos/xCdFXXoZkJc "caption") >>> + only those w/**wedding** clothes may enter + so are the **poor** to buy new clothes? + no, it was the **host** who would **give** garments to guests + like wedding **favours** (cf Samson, Jdg14) + **extravagance** of clothes indicated wealth of host + so guest **w/o** wedding clothes means he **refused** the gift! + indicates his **intent** was just a free **meal** + didn't **care** about the celebration + **clothes** in Scrip. often repr. good **deeds** (e.g., Rev7:9) + only those w/holy **lives** may enter heaven + we **poor** cannot **become** holy on own + God **imputes** holiness to us through Christ + **gives** us the clothes + but we must **accept** the gift --- [14](# "ref") For many are **called**,
but few are **chosen**. [Matthew 22:11-14 (ESV) (p.3/3)](# "ref") [Avenue of the Giants, CA. John Towner](https://unsplash.com/photos/3Kv48NS4WUU "caption") >>> + God's **invitation** is to everyone, + but few are **chosen** ("called-out", church) + selected by **preference** ______ + we are those selected by God's **grace** to receive **mercy** + to **cherish** God's presence as the greatest **treasure** + examine our own **hearts**: --- # Am I an **unwilling** invitee, or a **joyful** chosen guest? >>> + initial invitees **heard** the call + but were too **busy** w/daily lives + **preoccupied** w/possessions, biz, family + didn't see **value** in king's celebration + the **chosen** true guests + come from all **corners** of earth + **respond** to the invitation + not only to receive **blessings** + but to share in God's **joy** + In our hour of **need**, don't cling to our **independence** + **return** to Jesus: He is our **strength** + salvation --- For thus said the Lord God,
the Holy One of Israel, “In **returning** and **rest** you shall be saved;
in **quietness** and in **trust**
shall be your strength.” But you were **unwilling**! [Isaiah 30:15 (ESV)](# "ref") >>> + next time: last part of ch14 + what it takes to be Christ's **disciple** --- >>> + remember the **joyful** hope we have in Christ + not **reject** His pathway of peace + even if it means **yielding** our independence + learning to **trust** Him more + gratefully accept His work of **redemption** + extended to people from all **walks** of life