Lk14:15-24 That My House May Be Filled

# 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!

---

## [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")

---

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")

---

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**."

... "I have bought five yoke of **oxen**, 
and I go to examine them."

... "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**,

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**.

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")

---

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

---

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