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Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
We have been reading in Luke Chapter 14, of the Parable of the Banquet, and how people explained how they really could not attend. We have looked at what individuals said in their replies. If you have not read their words do check them out in verses 18 to 20. It is always essential to check out the actual Scriptures. After all, it is the authentic and authoritative Word of God.
They made such paltry excuses - how hollow - anything other than Jesus - anywhere other than the table of the Lord - and they had been invited.
The implication is - "O Jesus we would come if we had nothing else to do, and nowhere else to go, and no-one else to be with. Any place other than being with Jesus Christ - and they had been invited.
Other affections - even family ties - can be more important than coming to Jesus - and that is always sad to see.
In verse 21. The servant returns and tells the sorry tale, and The Master becomes angry, and a new order is given. "Go out and bring in the poor - the cripples - the lame - the blind." The servant did this, and those invited from this needy group came, and there was room left, and even more people were made to come in.
Jesus will have His house full. There will be NO empty seats on that day.
But their opportunity has gone. It had now gone. Having refused, they are excluded for ever. This is another alarming passage, and not very popular today, but it just happens to be true!
There is an invitation from Jesus. Sometimes there are further invitations, but again, we never know when it is the final invitation.
We have seen in these verses that there will be some looking in from the outside, and see someone else sitting in the place which was initially offered to them.
Where will we be on that day? Where we will be on that day depends upon what we do with the invitations we receive from Jesus.
Humbling ourselves is a very wise decision. Never ask God to humble you. He may do it. We are taught to humble ourselves. God gives us a choice. You can go to the top place and be embarrassed. Jesus says - you make the decision - verse 11 - and what follows depends upon what you decide. That is what Jesus is teaching here.
Be dressed. Clothe yourselves. (Verse 11) Remember, you do not get anyone to dress you when it comes to humility.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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