LIFE IS A PARTY and Your INVITED.

The password to attend is GRACE.

In Luke 14: 15-24 there's a parable about a man who planned a large banquet and sent out invitations. When the banquet was ready, he sent his servant to contact each of the invited guests, telling them that all was ready and the meal was about to start (verses 16-17). One after another, the guests made excuses for not coming.

When the master of the house heard these excuses, he was angry. He told his servant to forget the guest list and go into the back streets and alleyways of the town and invite “the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame” (verse 21).

Jesus ends the parable by relating the master’s determination that “not one of those men who were invited will get a taste of my banquet” (verse 24).

The statement that prompted the parable is key. The man who, in verse 15, looks forward to dining in the Messianic kingdom probably subscribed to the popular notion that only Jews would be part of that kingdom. The parable Jesus tells is aimed at debunking that notion, as the following explanation makes clear:

The master of the house is God, and the great banquet is the kingdom, a metaphor that was suggested by the speaker at the table. The invited guests picture the Jewish nation. The kingdom was prepared for them, but when Jesus came preaching that “the kingdom of heaven is near” (Matthew 4:17), He was rejected. “He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him” (John 1:11).

The excuses for skipping the banquet are laughably bad. The interpretation is that the Jews of Jesus’ day had no valid excuse for spurning Jesus’ message; in fact, they had every reason to accept Him as their Messiah.

The detail that the invitation is opened up to society’s maimed and downtrodden is important. These were the types of people that the Pharisees considered “unclean” and under God’s curse (cf. John 9:1-2, 34). Jesus, however, taught that the kingdom was available even to those considered “unclean” (cf. Acts 10).

Those who ignored the invitation to the banquet chose their own punishment—they missed out. The master respects their choice by making it permanent: they would not “taste of my banquet.” So it will be with God’s judgment on those who choose to reject Christ: they will have their choice confirmed, and they will never taste the joys of heaven.

The basic message of the Parable of the Great Banquet could be stated this way: The blessings of the kingdom are available to all who will come to Christ by faith.

The inclusion of the Gentiles is a fulfillment of Hosea 2:23, “I will say to those called ‘Not my people,’ ‘You are my people’; and they will say, ‘You are my God.’” God is “not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9), and “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13).

John 10:10 …. The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy; but I can that they (you) may have LIFE, AND HAVE IT ABUNDANTLY!

LIFE IS THE PARTY.

He didn’t come to indict us but to invite us…to life at its fullest.

How do you spell religion? Jesus spells it this way. D. O. N. E. DONE!

Musical Guest: Dave's album Warrior for the King. Song selection: Love Blood

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Today, we are going to examine what was happening AFTER the crucifixion and resurrection. What did the next 40 days look like?

What were the emotions, thoughts and questions whirling around in the heads of Christ followers, as well as the onlookers, the Pharisees and politicians?

No doubt, the weeks following Jesus’ triumphant entry, his arrest, the trials, verdict, and his mysterious resurrection three days post, was filled with many opposing emotions.

For Mary, Martha, Lazarus and all the apostles and witnesses present at the rising of Lazarus from the dead, just hours from Passover commencing, the emotions would have moved from deep sadness to jubilant amazement.

Jesus had now been arrested and was standing trial. Surely there was much hope that he would prevail…after all He was the great orator, story teller, wise and able to reach the souls of men in debate…He would convince the powers to yield and surrender!

Meeting with Pontius Pilate, the Sadducees and Pharisees HE would prove his case! The teachings, the healings and miracles would prove He IS who He says He is.

But the initial meeting turned to trials…ridicule, mockery, lashings, denial and silence from his followers (Peter being the first to deny knowing or testifying on Jesus’ behalf.)

Even Pilate found no crime in Jesus and gave the people an option. Jesus or Barabbas? “Give us Barabbas” they cried! “Crucify him” they demanded! ( John 18:35, 37-40 ). Hope was vanquished, taken over by despair, fear of what may come next for those that associated with him…and then the crucifixion! It was official. It was finished! Their messiah was not what they had expected.

Rejection, abandonment, confusion, regret maybe for the time they had spent following him.

What was Saturday like for his followers? Lots of questions maybe along with many tears. All seemed lost! Whatever each imagined would happen last week was now dashed…a painful memory of what “could have been.”

But on Sunday Mary delivers the message…the tomb is empty!! He is risen! He’s meeting us here tonight!! Surely the disciples thought she was delusional, had snapped and deeply overcome with denial! Emotions, questions, and previously held belief in his promises and messages were suspect. Confusion, debate, anger, what next (can I get my boat back, my nets back?), 3 years of lost income…and for what?

What happened that evening? Jesus appeared to those in the upper room. This was their first manifestation of Jesus post his crucifixion. But Thomas wasn’t there, so Jesus came by again…eight days later! This was their second manifestation of Christ.

In Acts 2:40-41 we read: “And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!” So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.”

So to those listening that have also shared similar emotions…doubts, fears, disbeliefs, confusion, anxiety, anger or had questions like those we’ve presented we are encouraging you to do this:

• Accept that Emotions are natural
• Ponder them deeply, identify why you are having them
• They may be leading you to deeper revelation
• Consider the testimonies of those that believe and are following Christ teachings
• Listen to your heart as you examine them for truth
• Truth that stirs your heart is the voice of the Holy Spirit, the voice of God
• It may come with discomfort but if it speaks true to your heart, listen
• And when you finally accept what is revealed to you, accept Gods grace…forgive yourself and begin a new with Christ at your side

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Thanks for joining us this week as we examine the events of Holy Week, from the triumphant entry into the city on a donkey, to the turmoil and turning of tables in the Temple, to the last supper, getting arrested, the trial, the spilling of the blood to the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ.

A three year ministry comes down to a seven day week and ends and starts over a three day event. Amazing.

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