1.“The Great Supper.” (Luke 14:15-2415And 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. 16Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: 17And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. 18And 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. 19And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. 20And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. 21So 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. 22And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. 23And 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. 24For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper. (Luke 14:15‑24).)
Is blessed contrast to the heart of man, so full of self-interest and self-exaltation, the Lord Jesus in this passage unfolds to us the heart of God.
One of those who sat at meat, on hearing of “the feast,” and “the resurrection of the just, “exclaims, “Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.” The Lord Jesus, in reply, tells, them of One who even now had spread a great supper, at which all who desired might partake. It cost Him dear to be able to announce such a feast; yea, even the blood of His own Son! That sinless, perfect One, had even to “taste death” and judgment, before that great supper could be spread. He died: He rose: He ascended to heaven—thus accomplishing a work which satisfied every claim of God’s righteousness against sin. God’s love can thus freely send forth and say, “Come, for all things are now ready.”
Until now the best robe could not be presented to the prodigal, for God’s righteousness was not vindicated until the Cross. Until now the shoes (comfort for the travel-worn pilgrim’s feet) could not be given him, till purchased by the death of Jesus. Nor could the ring, until now, be put on his hand, nor the fatted calf partaken of; for the veil must be rent, that the prodigal might be called into fellowship with the Father and the Son. The veil was not rent until atonement was accomplished. But now “all things are ready.” The Father’s loving hand has all prepared that His heart had planned, and the Holy Ghost has come forth with the summons, “Come,” “to the Jew first, and also to the Greek,” to those “in the field,” and then to those in “the far country.”
Dear reader, how are you treating the summons of Him who has spread the feast? Do you say in acts, if it be not in words, “My earthly things, my fields, my house, my shop, are too engrossing. I have no time to think of God’s invitation or of the blessings He has prepared for those who come.” Surely you will not say, with another, “my attention is so taken up with the skilfulness with which I conduct my business, the efficiency of my operatives, the first-class character of my workmen, who cannot do without their master’s eye, that God’s invitation has no charms for me.” Or do you take the place of the one who says, that natural affection so engages my heart—family ties that I cannot think of breaking in upon, so engross me with their pressing interests that I have not even a moment to think of Him who beseeches me. Ah! dear reader, do not let Satan persuade you to be so foolish—as to reject God’s invitation for the poor toys with which he beguiles and keeps you from seeking first “the treasure which faileth not.”
But the rejection of His ambassage only draws forth the greater earnestness on the part of the provider of the feast, that every seat should be filled. “The poor of the flock” (v. 21) are now His care, like the Samaritan woman of John 4, and those of her city. Ah! there was no refusal there. The sense of need is met by the sense of pardon and joy in the Holy Ghost.
But yet “there is room.” The poor, the maimed, the halt, and the blind (v. 21) are brought in to be made a “royal priesthood,” (comp. Lev. 21:16-2116And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 17Speak unto Aaron, saying, Whosoever he be of thy seed in their generations that hath any blemish, let him not approach to offer the bread of his God. 18For whatsoever man he be that hath a blemish, he shall not approach: a blind man, or a lame, or he that hath a flat nose, or any thing superfluous, 19Or a man that is brokenfooted, or brokenhanded, 20Or crookbackt, or a dwarf, or that hath a blemish in his eye, or be scurvy, or scabbed, or hath his stones broken; 21No man that hath a blemish of the seed of Aaron the priest shall come nigh to offer the offerings of the Lord made by fire: he hath a blemish; he shall not come nigh to offer the bread of his God. (Leviticus 21:16‑21)), and have taken their place at the bountiful board.
Now comes this invitation to us, poor “sinners of the Gentiles,” and it is not merely “go out and bring,” but “go out and compel.” Note the anxiety of the Father’s heart to embrace “sons.” He is not content to have His ten thousands of angels to do His bidding. Nothing will satisfy His love but to bring “many sons to glory!” Surely, therefore, none can say, “there is no invitation for me.” “Them” includes every inmate of the highways and hedges; every stray sheep; every lost piece of money; every prodigal. Take a prodigal’s place then, lost, helpless, and rest in this finished work of Jesus. Rest in Him who is the expression of His Father’s love; in Him “who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification.” “All things,” then, are yours. You have the pardon of your sins; the present possession of eternal life. You are already brought into the presence of the One whom you can, by the Spirit, call “Abba Father.” You are at home and graced before Him, and in the light, and joy, and blessedness of communion with Himself and with His Son you have the fullness of joy. (1 John 1:3,43That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. (1 John 1:3‑4).) The Marriage Supper of the Lamb.” Rev. 19:1-101And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honor, and power, unto the Lord our God: 2For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. 3And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever. 4And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia. 5And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. 6And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. 7Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 8And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. 9And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. 10And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. (Revelation 19:1‑10).
So far for your present possession—thus far the supper of Luke 14. Now let us turn to another scene. Not, as we may say, the supper of grace, but the supper of glory. Not the supper that we enjoy now, blessed as that is, but that which we shall enjoy when we shall see Him face to face, and know even as we are known. This is the Father’s repast prepared for the poor prodigal. This is the banquet spread for those who share the bridal glory of the Lamb. The supper is a different one, but the guests arc the same. They had once sat down, at the time of conversion, at the feast of grace on which we have dwelt. When their pilgrim days are done they shall enjoy the marriage supper of the Lamb. “Espoused” we are now (2 Cor. 11:22For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. (2 Corinthians 11:2).)— “presented”— (Eph. 5:2727That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. (Ephesians 5:27))—we shall be then. With Him where He is; beholding His glory! What a scene of praise it is! “Every voice,” the “much people,” “the four-and-twenty elders,” “the four beasts,” and “the great multitude” have but the one cry, “Alleluia!” The bridegroom has come, “the wise” have gone “in with Him to the marriage,” and the marriage supper is spread, and surely then the wife’s enjoyment will reach its climax, for she will be in the immediate presence of her Lord!
Dear reader, can you say “I have a perfect title to sit down with Him there— I read it in His precious blood?”
3. “The Great Supper of God.” (Rev. 6:11-21.)
I must now ask you to turn with me to another scene, and read of another supper; not that of the Father for His prodigal children, nor that of the Lamb for His chosen bride, but “the great supper of God.” A solemn scene of judgment for those who have not taken their place at the other. God gives instantaneous reception to the first supper to all who receive His testimony concerning His Son. But His righteousness demands the everlasting destruction of all “who obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ;” and therefore we find in 2 Thess. 1:66Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; (2 Thessalonians 1:6), that it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them who trouble His people, “ when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven, with His mighty angels, in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them who know not God; who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power when He shall come.” And thus we find the Lamb, of whose supper we have spoken, coming in Rev. 19:1111And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. (Revelation 19:11), in righteousness to judge and make war; indignation in His look, the emblem of universal dominion on His brow, His very raiment indicating vengeance.
Ah! poor fellow sinner beware of the fate of the elder brother of Luke 15 The Father’s utmost entreaties fail in softening his heart; he remains outside though the Father has repeatedly pressed the invitation on him. What then is the result to those who refuse his invitation? They become the victims of the righteous judgment of Him whom they have rejected; and, finally, the occupants of the place of torment, where they seek in vain for a drop of water to cool their tongue. (Luke 16:2424And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. (Luke 16:24).)
The judgment of all flesh, of Rev. 6:21, will be followed by the judgment of the raised and wicked dead of Rev. 20:11-1511And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:11‑15), and throughout eternity a part in the lake of fire that burneth with brimstone, which is the second death. The part of thousands who have beard and refused the invitation to the Father’s supper, who allowed “the god of this world to blind their minds, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” (2 Cor. 4:44In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (2 Corinthians 4:4).)
Dear reader, have you taken your place at the great supper of the grace of God? or is this to be your fate? D. T. G.