A Simple Disciple's Life

V. 16-17

What strings were attached to the invitation?

[No Strings are attached. The man is making a large feast, he has many servants, he has money. In the middle east, hospitality is sacred, and making a guest pay anything is an insult.]

V.18-20

In your opinion, did the guests remember the invite?

[Not mentioned, but we can assume not]

What excuses do we have?

[Evaluate the quality of purchases after the deed, or just "play" with our new toy. Another one is putting a relationship first.]

How sound were those excuses?

[There is no urgency in testing a purchase you already have. Your wife can join you at the banquet. Those answers were really dismissals]

Did you ever make up excuses to to avoid doing something you didn't want, or to do something you wanted before?

[Sharing: told was sick to play on the computer instead of skiing with the family.]

Why would someone choose to spend the evening with 10 stinky ox, instead of having fun at a party? What sense of priorities does this show?

Who would you invite to a party?

[Normally, I would invite the people closest to me, those who are the most interested in me.]

What is the spiritual parallel for us today?

[God is sending an invitation to those who are the "closest". We are in a traditionally christian environment, and God keeps on inviting us towards him. If we look around us, we are seeing a lot of invited people turning down the invitation.]

[I can tell you, I've seen many people interested in God who have been "too busy" to really study the Bible and live a spiritual life. I can tell you that it is possible, though. I personally am finishing a degree in Engineering and I am there with you today.]

How does God deal with the rejection?

V. 21-24

Who are the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame?

[those are the "rejects" of the time. Unable to work, often begging for survival.]

What do we learn from God in this?

[god is offering the free meal to those who are in the greatest need, who are starving. Salvation is offered to those who are thirsty for God]

What about verse 23?

[God wants to save as much as possible. He wants to fill heavens with the willing]

The last verse make it clear, though: There is no room for the unwilling.

Thus, there is a choice. Through me, today, God has invited you for this free meal.

This free meal is the Kingdom of Heaven, a relationship with God, the eternal life after this one, and a fulfilled one in your living.

What is your choice? Will you put priority on studies, on relationships, on material things? Or will you put a higher priority on God?