Introduction
God has given all people on earth temporary life. We are His creation. Some people die young and some live for more than 100 years. But God has also sent out a general invitation to ALL people to come to Him and receive "eternal life". Eternal life is God's own personal life. It can only be obtained from God Himself. It is His gift to ALL who will receive it through His very own Son, Jesus Christ. The following is an effort to explain God's invitation to ALL people.
The Supper Parable
In the 14th chapter of Luke, Jesus was having supper at a certain man's house. One of the supper guests spoke to Jesus saying, "Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the Kingdom of God". Jesus then proceeded to tell the man a parable about God's invitation to ALL people to come to Him for eternal life NOW.
As we read this passage of scripture (Luke 14:15-24) we can see that the man talking to Jesus was thinking of the Kingdom of God in the future tense (shall eat bread). Jesus attempts to show us that the Kingdom of God is NOW. "All things are now ready." verse 17
The servant was sent first to invite his Lord's friends to the supper. But the Lord's friends made excuses as to why they could not come to the supper. Then the servant was sent to invite the poor, the halt, the maimed, and the blind to the supper; and many of them came. But there was still room. So the Lord sent His servant into the highways and hedges to "compel" people to come to His supper; and many of them came. Then a very sad thing happened. The Lord declared that those who would not come when they were told "all things are now ready" would not be allowed to even taste of the Lord's supper, once the house was filled.
Do you see what I see here? Jesus is telling us that we had better come to God's supper before it's too late. The door will eventually be closed, and those who reject God's offer of eternal life will perish. They will not be able to enter the Kingdom of God and have communion with our Lord and His Church. But those who respond to His invitation will have access to His throne of grace, even though they have faults and have no money. God knows how to save those who come to Him. And those who come to Him, will not be cast out. Hallelujah!
Summary-The servant is a very important element in this parable of our Lord. He is an evangelist and a missionary. He is sent to invite people to his Lord's supper, first to His friends (church members), then to the poor and needy, and finally across the culture barrier to whoever will come and receive eternal life, and enter the Kingdom of God.
Please address all inquiries or comments to David Hunt:
New Life Counselors, Inc. 35 West Pine Street - Suite 224 Orlando, Florida 32801 Office Phone: (407) 236-0017 e-mail: david@christianmissionstoday.org