Verse 15. “And when one of them that sat at meat with Him heard these things, he said unto Him, ‘Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.'”
IF we would enjoy the blessings of God in glory, in the future kingdom, we must avail ourselves of the provisions of His grace in time. It is in vain to look forward to the joys of eternity if we neglect the offers of the Gospel in the present time.
Verses 16, 57. "Then said He unto him, 'A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: and sent his servant at supper-time to say to them that were bidden, Come, for all things are now ready.'”
Thus the Lord Jesus avails Himself of the opportunity for giving a present application to these words of one of the guests.
This parable sets forth the abundant provisions of God's grace in the Gospel, and the largeness and freeness of His invitation. We here notice that it is not to the DINNER, as in Matthew 22:4, that the guests are invited, but to a SUPPER, and it is AT SUPPER-TIME, for " behold Now is the accepted time, behold Now is the day of salvation. In Matthew 22 the parable especially contemplates Israel, to whom at the beginning the Gospel invitation was given. But Israel having rejected the provision made for them, the exhortation is extended to the Gentiles, as in this parable of Luke 14. And this, according to Isaiah 61:22To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; (Isaiah 61:2), will be followed by the day of vengeance of our God. For those who reject it there is no after provision. How then shall they escape who neglect so great salvation?
Verses 18-20. "And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it; I pray thee have me excused, And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them; I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.”
There are other things beside the love of sin which prevent the ready acceptance of the Gospel. Our Lord enumerates three of these hindrances, which are very general.
First, The possession of wealth and large estates, which are thought to necessitate much attention, for, said the Lord, "How hardly shall they that have riches enter the kingdom.”
Secondly, Absorption in agricultural or mercantile occupation, leaving but little leisure or opportunity to the concerns of the soul, being busy in laying up riches on the earth rather than treasures in heaven.
Thirdly, Domestic enjoyments, cares, and family anxieties, and making provision for the future.
These are thought sufficient reasons by many for not accepting the invitation, and the reply is given, "Therefore I cannot come.”
Verse 21. "So that servant came, and showed his lord these things. Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.'”
Those who preach the Gospel are under an obligation not only to deliver their message faithfully and fully, but they have also to give an account to Him who sent them as to what they have done and what they have taught, and also the manner and extent of the reception of their message.
Not only does rebellion against God's authority provoke His anger, but also, and much more, the rejection of His mercy, and undervaluing the boundless provisions of His grace and love, in the gift of His Son, the aid of His Spirit, and the instruction of His Word. Thus they show that they prefer their own things to the things of God, earth to heaven, and the pursuits of Time to the joys of Eternity. Transgression is an offense against His holiness, but the rejection of the Gospel is doing despite to the Spirit of Grace.
In this parable the Lord divides the family of man into three classes—the higher, the middle, and the lower.
FIRST.—The higher class, contemplated in the landowner, the business man, and those involved in family cares.
SECOND.—In the inhabitants of the streets and lanes of the city, known as the working-classes, among whom are to be found the poor, the maimed, the halt, and the blind, not as to the body only, but also as to the soul.
THIRD.—The third class comprises the very poor, destitute, and the outcast.
Verses 22, 23. "And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. And the Lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. For I say unto you, that none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.”
Not only are the respectable, the moral, the religious, and the majority of men invited and welcome, but the despised, the rejected, and those that count themselves unworthy, undeserving, and too sinful to hope for mercy, are to be urged and encouraged to accept the offers of God's grace.
In the first case the invitation is simply, "Come" (verse 17).
In the second, assistance is to be rendered, "Bring in" (verse 21).
In the third case a kind of moral compulsion is frequently needed, "Compel them to come in." So long as there is a sinner to be saved, a spiritual want to be supplied, or an outcast to be brought in, "still there is room," and not until the house is filled, all who are given to the Son by the Father, and for whom Jesus died, are regenerated, and baptized by one Spirit into one body, will the present invitation of the Gospel cease. But those who now reject so great salvation, and despise God's present mercy, are left without hope of any further provision.