“They all made excuses”

Read Luke 14:15-24

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This passage continues the previous dinner conversation (14:1-14). Jesus had just told them to invite the poor to their banquets, if they want to be rewarded on the day of resurrection (14:13-14). This prompted a pious remark from a guest who clearly expected to share in the blessing of the great feast on that day (15; Is.25:6; Mt.26:29; Rev.19:9).

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Jesus challenged his expectation (16-17). Would he (and the others present) really accept the invitation offered to them? The parable illustrates that those who have previously shown interest in attending a feast might be indifferent to it when it happens. The excuses made are not about things that are wrong, but it’s not only the rich who are foolish when it comes to what matters most in life (18-20; 12:20; Mk.4:18-19).

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Once again Jesus is urging his Jewish hearers to enter through the narrow door before it’s too late, for on the day of God’s feast many Jews will find themselves excluded while (to their shock) believing Gentiles will enter in (13:24-30). The mission of the church will be to go to those who never expected to receive such an invitation and persuade them that God wants them to come to his banquet (21-24).