WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:15.160 Heavenly Father, once again we have gathered because we are a forgetful people. 00:00:18.660 --> 00:00:20.859 We need to remember your loss. 00:00:22.260 --> 00:00:25.420 We need to remember how you have been faithful. 00:00:25.420 --> 00:00:30.220 We need to remember your grace, remember your love. 00:00:34.780 --> 00:00:39.320 So please now speak to us through the reading and preaching of your word. 00:00:41.980 --> 00:00:45.600 That our lives may be governed by you. 00:00:46.939 --> 00:00:54.260 And so we might live in a way that pleases you as humble people who praise your glorious grace. 00:00:55.420 --> 00:00:59.560 In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. 00:01:01.700 --> 00:01:04.439 Luke 14, 1-24 00:01:04.439 --> 00:01:13.259 One Sabbath, when he went to dine at the house of a ruler of the Pharisees, they were watching him carefully. 00:01:14.359 --> 00:01:17.000 And behold, there was a man before him who had dropsy. 00:01:18.060 --> 00:01:21.079 And Jesus responded to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, 00:01:21.599 --> 00:01:24.000 Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not? 00:01:24.780 --> 00:01:26.000 But they remained silent. 00:01:26.000 --> 00:01:31.140 Then he took him and healed him and sent him away. 00:01:32.000 --> 00:01:32.859 And he said to them, 00:01:33.540 --> 00:01:39.920 Which of you, having a son or an ox that has fallen into a well on the Sabbath day, will not immediately pull him out? 00:01:41.040 --> 00:01:43.079 And they could not reply to these things. 00:01:43.960 --> 00:01:46.780 Now he told a parable to those who were invited. 00:01:46.780 --> 00:01:51.359 When he noticed how they chose the places of honor, saying to them, 00:01:52.060 --> 00:01:57.019 When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor. 00:01:57.299 --> 00:01:59.939 Lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him. 00:02:00.439 --> 00:02:04.000 And he who invited you both will come and say to you, 00:02:04.480 --> 00:02:06.099 Give your place to this person. 00:02:06.840 --> 00:02:11.180 And then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. 00:02:11.180 --> 00:02:16.180 But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, 00:02:16.300 --> 00:02:18.980 So that when your host comes, he may say to you, 00:02:19.140 --> 00:02:20.819 Friend, move up higher. 00:02:21.719 --> 00:02:25.060 Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. 00:02:25.780 --> 00:02:28.760 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled. 00:02:29.260 --> 00:02:31.719 And he who humbles himself will be exalted. 00:02:33.860 --> 00:02:36.780 He said also to the man who had invited him, 00:02:37.780 --> 00:02:39.640 When you give a dinner or a banquet, 00:02:39.639 --> 00:02:44.339 Do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, 00:02:44.979 --> 00:02:48.799 Lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. 00:02:49.259 --> 00:02:54.619 But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind. 00:02:55.539 --> 00:02:58.060 And you will be blessed because they cannot repay you. 00:02:58.339 --> 00:03:01.439 For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just. 00:03:02.839 --> 00:03:06.719 When one of those who reclined at table with him heard these things, 00:03:06.719 --> 00:03:11.520 He said to him, Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God. 00:03:12.139 --> 00:03:17.079 But he said to him, A man once gave a great banquet and invited many. 00:03:17.879 --> 00:03:21.960 And at the time for the banquet, he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, 00:03:22.219 --> 00:03:24.520 Come, for everything is now ready. 00:03:24.520 --> 00:03:27.860 But they all alike began to make excuses. 00:03:28.860 --> 00:03:33.520 The first said to him, I have bought a field and I must go out and see it. 00:03:34.060 --> 00:03:35.400 Please have me excused. 00:03:36.020 --> 00:03:40.439 And another said, I bought five yoke of oxen and I go to examine them. 00:03:40.680 --> 00:03:42.020 Please have me excused. 00:03:42.560 --> 00:03:46.660 And another said, I have married a wife and therefore I cannot come. 00:03:46.659 --> 00:03:51.000 So the servant came and reported these things to his master. 00:03:51.799 --> 00:03:54.919 Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, 00:03:55.359 --> 00:04:02.719 Go, go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame. 00:04:03.400 --> 00:04:09.019 And the servant said, Sir, what you commanded has been done and still there is room. 00:04:09.699 --> 00:04:15.599 And the master said to the servant, Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in. 00:04:15.599 --> 00:04:18.040 That my house may be filled. 00:04:18.920 --> 00:04:24.819 For I tell you, none of those men who are invited shall taste my banquet. 00:04:25.899 --> 00:04:28.259 This is God's holy and authoritative word. 00:04:30.040 --> 00:04:35.219 In a New York Times article entitled, Not to Leadership Material. 00:04:36.019 --> 00:04:36.319 Good. 00:04:36.800 --> 00:04:38.339 The world needs followers. 00:04:38.620 --> 00:04:39.439 That's the title of the article. 00:04:39.439 --> 00:04:49.160 Susan Cain writes and mentions that in 1934 there was a woman, a young woman named Sarah Pollard, 00:04:49.379 --> 00:04:52.120 who applied for admission to Vassal College. 00:04:53.399 --> 00:04:59.860 In those days, parents were asked to fill out a questionnaire about their children who were applying to college. 00:04:59.860 --> 00:05:04.660 And she, unfortunately, had a very honest dad. 00:05:05.340 --> 00:05:06.300 That's actually a good thing. 00:05:07.699 --> 00:05:13.160 And he wrote on the questionnaire, she's really more of a follower type than a leader. 00:05:15.240 --> 00:05:22.120 Which, if you know that virtually every college in the U.S. lists leadership as one of the main qualities that it looks for in admission, 00:05:22.240 --> 00:05:25.480 of course, is not the kind of thing you want on your application. 00:05:25.480 --> 00:05:33.819 But Sarah, surprisingly, was admitted to Vassal, whose admissions officers wrote her a personal note, 00:05:34.259 --> 00:05:36.980 explaining that they had enough leaders at Vassal. 00:05:37.720 --> 00:05:39.140 In fact, they needed more followers. 00:05:41.780 --> 00:05:51.780 In her article, Cain continues to argue that the popular notion of leadership centers too restrictively on this political or business power. 00:05:52.340 --> 00:05:54.780 And it's seen as just ordering people around. 00:05:54.779 --> 00:05:56.879 That's what people see as leadership. 00:05:57.399 --> 00:06:05.599 In contrast, she notes that there is actually a growing emphasis nowadays on what organizational psychology calls followership. 00:06:06.479 --> 00:06:10.619 And a good follower is defined as someone who is courageous, honest, and credible, 00:06:10.619 --> 00:06:16.879 and is committed to a purpose or a principle or a person that's outside themselves. 00:06:18.399 --> 00:06:24.000 And Cain continues to argue that a disproportionate glorification of leadership skills 00:06:24.000 --> 00:06:28.759 has emptied leadership of its meaning so that, quote, she writes, 00:06:28.759 --> 00:06:35.920 It attracts those who are motivated by the spotlight rather than by the ideas and people they serve. 00:06:36.740 --> 00:06:40.680 It teaches students to be a leader for the sake of being in charge 00:06:40.680 --> 00:06:45.720 rather than in the name of a cause or idea they care about deeply. 00:06:45.720 --> 00:06:54.200 The admissions officers at Vassal College somehow intuitively understood this back in 1934. 00:06:56.200 --> 00:06:59.140 In our passage for today, we see a similar phenomenon. 00:06:59.139 --> 00:07:08.219 Like the high school students preparing for college admission by padding their resumes with leadership roles, 00:07:08.339 --> 00:07:10.560 so-called leadership roles that they care nothing about. 00:07:11.560 --> 00:07:17.079 The Jewish religious leaders were engaging in religious hypocrisy, 00:07:18.300 --> 00:07:23.819 padding their resumes for admission to heaven with their legalistic observances of the law 00:07:23.819 --> 00:07:27.740 when their hearts were actually far from God, 00:07:29.139 --> 00:07:30.159 when they really didn't care. 00:07:32.079 --> 00:07:37.779 And these religious leaders, they believed that surely if anyone is admitted to the kingdom of heaven, 00:07:37.899 --> 00:07:38.540 we would be. 00:07:38.800 --> 00:07:39.620 We're the leaders. 00:07:40.600 --> 00:07:42.459 We're the qualified ones. 00:07:42.459 --> 00:07:48.399 But in this passage, Jesus systematically dismantles their false assurance 00:07:48.399 --> 00:07:56.259 and makes the point that it's those who humbly acknowledge their unworthiness before God 00:07:56.259 --> 00:07:59.419 that will be seated at God's banqueting table. 00:08:00.539 --> 00:08:02.679 That's the main point of this passage. 00:08:02.879 --> 00:08:05.419 And Jesus exposes the hypocrisy of the Pharisees 00:08:05.419 --> 00:08:08.579 and denounces them for pursuing legalism rather than love, 00:08:09.500 --> 00:08:10.839 honor rather than humility, 00:08:10.839 --> 00:08:15.459 prosperity rather than those who are impoverished, poverty. 00:08:16.239 --> 00:08:19.659 So let's look at their pursuit of legalism rather than love. 00:08:20.019 --> 00:08:25.299 In last week's passage, Jesus taught that the door to enter the kingdom of God is narrow 00:08:25.299 --> 00:08:27.579 and the time left to enter is short 00:08:27.579 --> 00:08:30.519 and that many who think that they are entering are mistaken. 00:08:31.179 --> 00:08:33.100 And in verses 1 to 6 of our passage, 00:08:33.100 --> 00:08:37.779 Jesus points out that one reason why the Pharisees are mistaken in their assumption 00:08:37.779 --> 00:08:39.480 that they will be admitted to the kingdom of God 00:08:39.480 --> 00:08:42.639 is that their religion is a legalism, not love. 00:08:43.240 --> 00:08:45.180 And by contrasting legalism and love, 00:08:45.240 --> 00:08:49.279 I'm not echoing the popular kind of shallow slogans like 00:08:49.279 --> 00:08:51.480 love wins or love is all you need. 00:08:52.779 --> 00:08:58.980 It's popular to criticize Christians who teach people to live according to God's laws as legalistic. 00:08:58.980 --> 00:09:03.500 But a Christian that tries to obey God's laws is not legalistic. 00:09:03.879 --> 00:09:05.019 They're just law abiding. 00:09:07.240 --> 00:09:08.800 And they deserve to be commended. 00:09:09.560 --> 00:09:13.680 A legalist is someone who strictly adheres to the letter of the law 00:09:13.680 --> 00:09:17.379 while violating the spirit of the law, the heart of the law. 00:09:18.220 --> 00:09:23.560 Someone who keeps the law in superficial appearance only and not in actual substance. 00:09:23.559 --> 00:09:25.519 That's what a true legalist is. 00:09:26.059 --> 00:09:27.539 And that's what the Pharisees were doing. 00:09:28.259 --> 00:09:32.039 Which is why Jesus denounced them earlier in Luke 11, 39 to 44 00:09:32.039 --> 00:09:36.079 for outwardly washing their cups for the sake of ritual purity, 00:09:36.219 --> 00:09:39.479 but then inwardly in their hearts being full of greed and wickedness. 00:09:40.259 --> 00:09:43.000 Legalism is the mask that hypocrisy wears. 00:09:43.359 --> 00:09:44.579 The two are intimately related. 00:09:44.580 --> 00:09:48.960 So with that in mind, let's look at the Pharisees' legalism, 00:09:49.020 --> 00:09:50.920 what it looked like in verses 1 to 2. 00:09:51.460 --> 00:09:55.400 One Sabbath, when he went to dine at the house of a ruler of the Pharisees, 00:09:55.740 --> 00:09:57.100 they were watching him carefully. 00:09:57.700 --> 00:10:00.600 And behold, there was a man before him who had dropsy. 00:10:01.379 --> 00:10:06.660 So this is now the fourth Sabbath controversy in the Gospel of Luke. 00:10:06.980 --> 00:10:10.540 The command to observe a Sabbath day of rest once a week 00:10:10.540 --> 00:10:13.379 was an important command for faithful Jews. 00:10:13.379 --> 00:10:20.000 And the Pharisees objected to the fact that Jesus frequently healed people on the Sabbath 00:10:20.000 --> 00:10:23.860 because they considered that work and therefore a violation of the Sabbath. 00:10:24.580 --> 00:10:27.759 And here, as Jesus is dining with the ruler of the Pharisees, 00:10:27.980 --> 00:10:32.480 all the other religious leaders present were all observing Jesus carefully. 00:10:33.139 --> 00:10:34.600 Maybe he'll do the same thing again. 00:10:35.320 --> 00:10:38.720 They're watching and lurking in the back 00:10:38.720 --> 00:10:44.899 and ready to pounce in the event that Jesus would take the slightest misstep on the Sabbath. 00:10:45.899 --> 00:10:49.840 And perfect timing, almost as if this were a setup, 00:10:50.620 --> 00:10:55.660 behold, there was a man before him who had dropsy. 00:10:55.659 --> 00:11:01.659 Dropsy is a condition where fluids accumulate abnormally underneath the skin. 00:11:02.360 --> 00:11:05.799 And sometimes it's so their body literally swells up like this. 00:11:06.339 --> 00:11:08.839 And it causes severe pain. 00:11:09.639 --> 00:11:14.879 And the ancient Jewish rabbis argued that dropsy was caused by sin, 00:11:15.139 --> 00:11:18.240 that it was a divine judgment for sin, especially sexual sins. 00:11:18.240 --> 00:11:21.899 So this man not only had a physical deformity, 00:11:22.019 --> 00:11:26.659 he also represents for the other guests spiritual uncleanness, 00:11:27.759 --> 00:11:29.620 an object of divine judgment. 00:11:30.519 --> 00:11:33.340 What would Jesus do in this situation? 00:11:34.620 --> 00:11:38.860 A man is clearly in dire need of his compassion and healing, 00:11:39.279 --> 00:11:40.740 but it's the Sabbath. 00:11:40.740 --> 00:11:45.700 And Jesus is dying with the ruler of the Pharisees of all people. 00:11:46.899 --> 00:11:50.899 Perhaps detecting a trap, Jesus issues a preemptive strike in verse 3. 00:11:51.919 --> 00:11:55.240 And Jesus responded to the lawyers and Pharisees saying, 00:11:55.680 --> 00:11:58.519 Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not? 00:11:59.419 --> 00:12:01.379 Notice the word respond. 00:12:01.539 --> 00:12:03.600 The Pharisees haven't said anything yet, 00:12:03.820 --> 00:12:07.159 but Jesus already responds to them 00:12:07.159 --> 00:12:08.580 because he is the Son of God, 00:12:08.580 --> 00:12:10.759 the ultimate prophet who knows people's hearts, 00:12:11.060 --> 00:12:12.320 he knows what they're thinking, 00:12:12.460 --> 00:12:13.860 and he responds to them. 00:12:14.259 --> 00:12:16.240 And remember that Jesus already rebuked them 00:12:16.240 --> 00:12:17.940 for their hypocrisy regarding the Sabbath. 00:12:18.259 --> 00:12:21.440 It's not unbiblical to heal on the Sabbath. 00:12:21.940 --> 00:12:24.960 It was only a violation of the human traditions 00:12:24.960 --> 00:12:26.220 that they have added to it. 00:12:26.740 --> 00:12:28.680 And so Jesus has already taught them this, 00:12:28.860 --> 00:12:31.820 but still they have not learned their lesson 00:12:31.820 --> 00:12:34.879 because they are silent. 00:12:34.879 --> 00:12:39.200 This is the silence of defiance, 00:12:40.159 --> 00:12:41.460 silence of pride, 00:12:42.340 --> 00:12:44.379 reluctance to admit that they're in the wrong 00:12:44.379 --> 00:12:46.919 and to submit to Jesus. 00:12:47.740 --> 00:12:49.559 And so Jesus, it says, 00:12:49.659 --> 00:12:51.000 took the man with dropsy 00:12:51.000 --> 00:12:52.779 and healed him and sent him away. 00:12:52.899 --> 00:12:53.820 And he said to them, 00:12:54.220 --> 00:12:56.519 Which of you, having a son or an ox 00:12:56.519 --> 00:12:58.259 that has fallen to a well on the Sabbath, 00:12:58.419 --> 00:13:00.139 they will not immediately pull him out? 00:13:00.139 --> 00:13:03.059 The expected answer is yes. 00:13:03.639 --> 00:13:06.539 Of course they would immediately rescue their son 00:13:06.539 --> 00:13:09.059 or their ox that has fallen into a well on the Sabbath. 00:13:10.039 --> 00:13:13.919 If you see a child drowning in the lake, 00:13:16.720 --> 00:13:19.199 would you not ignore the sign that says, 00:13:19.299 --> 00:13:19.759 No swimming, 00:13:20.139 --> 00:13:22.039 and go in and jump in to rescue the child? 00:13:22.139 --> 00:13:22.819 No. 00:13:26.179 --> 00:13:27.779 Surely that's an emergency 00:13:27.779 --> 00:13:29.559 for which an exception should be made, 00:13:29.559 --> 00:13:31.799 that no swimming sign is there for people's sake, 00:13:32.599 --> 00:13:33.519 and someone's drowning, 00:13:33.699 --> 00:13:35.119 clearly that something needs to be done 00:13:35.119 --> 00:13:35.879 about that person. 00:13:37.659 --> 00:13:39.759 It's not unlawful to heal on the Sabbath, 00:13:39.859 --> 00:13:41.559 but even the Pharisees made exception 00:13:42.199 --> 00:13:44.699 for extenuating circumstances. 00:13:44.879 --> 00:13:46.119 So even the Pharisees 00:13:46.119 --> 00:13:47.839 who added all kinds of unnecessary 00:13:47.839 --> 00:13:50.899 and excessive regulation around the Sabbath, 00:13:51.359 --> 00:13:52.559 they made allowances for rescuing 00:13:53.079 --> 00:13:55.519 a person or an ox that had fallen into a well. 00:13:57.019 --> 00:13:58.219 It's common sense. 00:13:58.220 --> 00:14:00.100 It's basic decency. 00:14:01.000 --> 00:14:02.200 And Jesus says, 00:14:02.320 --> 00:14:02.540 Likewise, 00:14:02.680 --> 00:14:04.259 it is lawful and good 00:14:04.259 --> 00:14:06.800 to heal this man on the Sabbath. 00:14:09.320 --> 00:14:11.120 In Luke 11, 32, 00:14:11.240 --> 00:14:12.519 Jesus charged the Pharisees 00:14:12.519 --> 00:14:13.940 with legalistically observing 00:14:13.940 --> 00:14:15.259 the minutiae of the law 00:14:15.259 --> 00:14:17.600 while neglecting the more important parts of the law, 00:14:17.960 --> 00:14:19.720 neglecting the justice and the love of God. 00:14:20.080 --> 00:14:21.879 And the same charge applies here, 00:14:21.960 --> 00:14:23.879 because while trying to observe the Sabbath 00:14:23.879 --> 00:14:26.320 in their extreme and excessive attention to detail, 00:14:26.320 --> 00:14:28.540 they were neglecting love for their neighbors, 00:14:29.100 --> 00:14:31.320 which is part of the greatest commandment. 00:14:33.240 --> 00:14:36.440 Their religion was a mere legalism without love, 00:14:36.860 --> 00:14:37.580 and for that reason, 00:14:37.660 --> 00:14:40.260 they're disqualified from entry into the kingdom of God. 00:14:41.920 --> 00:14:42.680 And the Pharisees, 00:14:42.760 --> 00:14:43.400 after all this, 00:14:43.520 --> 00:14:44.400 it says in verse 6, 00:14:44.480 --> 00:14:46.520 could not reply to these things. 00:14:47.200 --> 00:14:49.060 They're now silent in shame. 00:14:49.059 --> 00:14:53.139 Then in verses 7 to 11, 00:14:53.439 --> 00:14:55.199 Jesus highlights another aspect 00:14:55.199 --> 00:14:56.399 of the Pharisees' hypocrisy 00:14:56.399 --> 00:14:58.519 by exposing the way they seek honor 00:14:58.519 --> 00:14:59.919 rather than humility. 00:15:00.679 --> 00:15:01.739 It says in verse 7 00:15:01.739 --> 00:15:03.239 that Jesus told this parable 00:15:03.239 --> 00:15:06.139 when he noticed how those who had been invited 00:15:06.139 --> 00:15:09.519 chose the places of honor as they arrived. 00:15:10.459 --> 00:15:12.879 Social status is carefully observed 00:15:12.879 --> 00:15:14.500 in most human cultures, 00:15:15.000 --> 00:15:18.199 even in supposedly egalitarian contexts like ours. 00:15:19.120 --> 00:15:21.180 But this was especially the case 00:15:21.180 --> 00:15:22.160 in the ancient world. 00:15:23.200 --> 00:15:23.980 So for this reason, 00:15:24.180 --> 00:15:25.700 social status played a big role 00:15:25.700 --> 00:15:28.020 when it came to formal banquets like this, 00:15:28.280 --> 00:15:31.800 and the seating arrangement was very important. 00:15:32.620 --> 00:15:34.320 The most honored seats at the banquet 00:15:34.320 --> 00:15:35.800 were seats that were next to 00:15:35.800 --> 00:15:39.080 or near the host of the party. 00:15:39.520 --> 00:15:40.900 And the seating order was determined 00:15:40.900 --> 00:15:42.940 by a person's age or rank. 00:15:43.259 --> 00:15:44.220 In this case, 00:15:44.280 --> 00:15:46.280 it seems it was by rank 00:15:46.279 --> 00:15:47.899 because they chose the places of honor 00:15:47.899 --> 00:15:49.939 and those who are more prominent. 00:15:50.059 --> 00:15:51.100 He mentions those who are more prominent. 00:15:52.100 --> 00:15:53.759 And so guests were arriving, 00:15:53.919 --> 00:15:55.299 but they were choosing for themselves 00:15:55.299 --> 00:15:56.459 the seats of honor. 00:15:57.079 --> 00:15:58.419 And Jesus' observingness 00:15:58.419 --> 00:16:00.259 says this to them 00:16:00.259 --> 00:16:01.799 in verses 8 to 10. 00:16:01.799 --> 00:16:04.339 When you are invited by someone 00:16:04.339 --> 00:16:05.199 to a wedding feast, 00:16:05.299 --> 00:16:07.039 do not sit down in a place of honor. 00:16:07.459 --> 00:16:09.139 Let someone more distinguished than you 00:16:09.139 --> 00:16:10.319 be invited by him. 00:16:10.359 --> 00:16:12.099 And he who invited you both 00:16:12.099 --> 00:16:13.500 will come and say to you, 00:16:13.659 --> 00:16:15.339 give your place to this person. 00:16:15.719 --> 00:16:17.539 And then you will begin with shame 00:16:17.539 --> 00:16:18.799 to take the lowest place. 00:16:19.259 --> 00:16:20.240 But when you are invited, 00:16:20.339 --> 00:16:21.559 go and sit in the lowest place 00:16:21.559 --> 00:16:23.279 so that when your host comes, 00:16:23.339 --> 00:16:24.240 he may say to you, 00:16:24.479 --> 00:16:25.659 friend, move up higher. 00:16:25.899 --> 00:16:26.919 Then you will be honored 00:16:26.919 --> 00:16:27.919 in the presence of all 00:16:27.919 --> 00:16:29.240 who sit at table with you. 00:16:29.240 --> 00:16:30.820 So Jesus is teaching, 00:16:31.159 --> 00:16:33.840 this is an allusion to Proverbs 25, 67. 00:16:34.139 --> 00:16:35.680 And it's pretty straightforward, right? 00:16:35.779 --> 00:16:37.180 At a wedding feast, 00:16:37.419 --> 00:16:38.700 don't take the seat of honor 00:16:38.700 --> 00:16:39.460 just in case someone 00:16:39.460 --> 00:16:40.460 that's more prominent 00:16:40.460 --> 00:16:41.500 than you have a higher rank 00:16:41.500 --> 00:16:42.080 than you comes. 00:16:42.700 --> 00:16:44.100 And then the host will say, 00:16:44.180 --> 00:16:44.879 well, please, actually, 00:16:45.259 --> 00:16:46.240 that seat's reserved 00:16:46.240 --> 00:16:46.840 for someone else. 00:16:46.919 --> 00:16:47.460 Please get out. 00:16:48.039 --> 00:16:49.360 And if you have to get out 00:16:49.360 --> 00:16:51.500 after the party's already begun 00:16:51.500 --> 00:16:52.799 because all the other seats 00:16:52.799 --> 00:16:53.519 are already taken, 00:16:53.680 --> 00:16:54.960 the seats that you could have occupied 00:16:54.960 --> 00:16:55.680 are all taken, 00:16:55.680 --> 00:16:56.799 now you have to take 00:16:56.799 --> 00:16:57.680 the lowest seat. 00:16:57.679 --> 00:16:59.559 And this is described 00:16:59.559 --> 00:17:00.439 very graphically. 00:17:00.579 --> 00:17:01.519 It says you will have to begin 00:17:01.519 --> 00:17:02.559 with shame to take 00:17:02.559 --> 00:17:03.239 the lowest place. 00:17:03.539 --> 00:17:04.899 You can just picture this person 00:17:04.899 --> 00:17:06.619 as shamefully getting up 00:17:06.619 --> 00:17:07.099 from the seat 00:17:07.099 --> 00:17:08.000 that he was sitting on 00:17:08.000 --> 00:17:09.639 and then walking down 00:17:09.639 --> 00:17:10.639 that wall of shame 00:17:10.639 --> 00:17:12.599 all past all the chairs 00:17:12.599 --> 00:17:14.059 to the last seat. 00:17:17.519 --> 00:17:20.099 But if you sit in the lowest place, 00:17:20.819 --> 00:17:21.899 from the beginning, 00:17:22.359 --> 00:17:23.119 Jesus says, 00:17:23.159 --> 00:17:24.339 your host will ask you, 00:17:24.460 --> 00:17:25.500 please move up higher. 00:17:25.500 --> 00:17:27.779 And you will get to move up 00:17:27.779 --> 00:17:28.799 and be honored 00:17:28.799 --> 00:17:29.559 in the presence 00:17:29.559 --> 00:17:30.900 of all the other guests. 00:17:31.700 --> 00:17:32.220 And from that, 00:17:32.319 --> 00:17:34.200 Jesus concludes 00:17:34.200 --> 00:17:35.940 with the general principle 00:17:35.940 --> 00:17:36.660 in verse 11, 00:17:36.779 --> 00:17:38.799 for everyone who exalts himself 00:17:38.799 --> 00:17:39.720 will be humbled, 00:17:40.119 --> 00:17:41.920 and he who humbles himself 00:17:41.920 --> 00:17:43.460 will be exalted. 00:17:44.220 --> 00:17:46.640 This is true of human relationships 00:17:46.640 --> 00:17:48.960 and people who are accustomed 00:17:48.960 --> 00:17:50.180 to bragging, 00:17:50.880 --> 00:17:51.720 pulling rank, 00:17:51.720 --> 00:17:54.519 or seeking prominent positions 00:17:54.519 --> 00:17:56.039 in society 00:17:56.039 --> 00:17:57.100 should take note 00:17:57.100 --> 00:17:58.279 of this command. 00:17:59.259 --> 00:18:01.200 Jesus rebuked the Pharisees 00:18:01.200 --> 00:18:02.680 for loving the best seat 00:18:02.680 --> 00:18:03.400 in the synagogues 00:18:03.400 --> 00:18:04.480 earlier in Luke 11. 00:18:04.880 --> 00:18:07.120 They wanted to be highly regarded. 00:18:07.279 --> 00:18:07.960 They wanted to be seen 00:18:07.960 --> 00:18:08.460 as important. 00:18:08.600 --> 00:18:09.819 They wanted to be honored 00:18:09.819 --> 00:18:10.600 by men 00:18:10.600 --> 00:18:11.680 rather than seeking 00:18:11.680 --> 00:18:13.180 the honor from God. 00:18:13.559 --> 00:18:15.039 They sought men's approval 00:18:15.039 --> 00:18:17.360 rather than God's approval. 00:18:17.860 --> 00:18:19.220 But Jesus is teaching here 00:18:19.220 --> 00:18:19.779 that it's those 00:18:19.779 --> 00:18:20.899 who humble themselves 00:18:20.899 --> 00:18:22.160 will be exalted by God, 00:18:22.680 --> 00:18:23.720 and so we ought to be humble 00:18:23.720 --> 00:18:24.680 in our relationship 00:18:24.680 --> 00:18:26.000 with one another. 00:18:26.700 --> 00:18:27.660 It's pride that goes 00:18:27.660 --> 00:18:28.420 before a fall. 00:18:29.019 --> 00:18:30.379 Humility comes before honor. 00:18:32.399 --> 00:18:33.359 But these verses 00:18:33.359 --> 00:18:34.379 are not dealing 00:18:34.379 --> 00:18:35.700 merely with the importance 00:18:35.700 --> 00:18:36.200 of humility 00:18:36.200 --> 00:18:37.180 in human relationships. 00:18:38.819 --> 00:18:40.319 Please look at verse 7 00:18:40.319 --> 00:18:41.160 again with me. 00:18:41.279 --> 00:18:41.519 It says, 00:18:41.899 --> 00:18:44.039 Now Jesus told a parable 00:18:44.039 --> 00:18:46.180 to those who were invited. 00:18:46.500 --> 00:18:47.819 So this is a parable. 00:18:47.819 --> 00:18:50.500 It's a metaphor 00:18:50.500 --> 00:18:51.460 or a similitude 00:18:51.460 --> 00:18:52.839 that uses something 00:18:52.839 --> 00:18:53.779 that is well known 00:18:53.779 --> 00:18:54.919 to illustrate something 00:18:54.919 --> 00:18:56.039 that is less known. 00:18:56.200 --> 00:18:58.019 So while it is applicable 00:18:58.019 --> 00:18:59.200 at the literal level 00:18:59.200 --> 00:19:00.740 in interpersonal relationships 00:19:00.740 --> 00:19:01.480 among humans, 00:19:01.939 --> 00:19:02.779 Jesus shares it 00:19:02.779 --> 00:19:04.059 in response to people 00:19:04.059 --> 00:19:04.599 choosing, 00:19:05.500 --> 00:19:06.740 Jesus is responding 00:19:06.740 --> 00:19:07.159 to the people 00:19:07.159 --> 00:19:07.679 who were choosing 00:19:07.679 --> 00:19:08.359 the honor seats 00:19:08.359 --> 00:19:08.899 at the party. 00:19:09.240 --> 00:19:10.139 But this principle 00:19:10.139 --> 00:19:11.419 applies not only 00:19:11.419 --> 00:19:12.599 to human banquets 00:19:12.599 --> 00:19:13.539 but also to the banquet 00:19:13.539 --> 00:19:14.000 of God. 00:19:14.000 --> 00:19:16.119 Just as we ought 00:19:16.119 --> 00:19:17.059 to relate humbly 00:19:17.059 --> 00:19:18.160 to our human hosts, 00:19:18.339 --> 00:19:19.799 we ought to relate humbly 00:19:19.799 --> 00:19:21.460 to our divine host. 00:19:22.059 --> 00:19:23.140 And we see this point 00:19:23.140 --> 00:19:24.019 in several details 00:19:24.019 --> 00:19:24.740 of the parable. 00:19:25.339 --> 00:19:26.680 Jesus could have chosen 00:19:26.680 --> 00:19:27.880 any kind of feast 00:19:27.880 --> 00:19:28.960 to illustrate his point, 00:19:29.339 --> 00:19:30.380 but he intentionally 00:19:30.380 --> 00:19:32.440 chooses a wedding feast. 00:19:33.140 --> 00:19:33.619 Why? 00:19:33.759 --> 00:19:34.640 That's not an accident 00:19:34.640 --> 00:19:35.220 because throughout 00:19:35.220 --> 00:19:36.000 the Old Testament, 00:19:36.680 --> 00:19:38.000 God describes himself 00:19:38.000 --> 00:19:39.460 as the husband 00:19:39.460 --> 00:19:41.000 or the bridegroom 00:19:41.000 --> 00:19:42.539 of his chosen people. 00:19:43.660 --> 00:19:44.420 For example, 00:19:44.500 --> 00:19:45.759 it says in Isaiah 54, 00:19:46.019 --> 00:19:46.740 5-6, 00:19:47.200 --> 00:19:48.019 For your maker 00:19:48.019 --> 00:19:49.259 is your husband, 00:19:49.799 --> 00:19:50.940 the Lord of hosts 00:19:50.940 --> 00:19:51.759 is his name, 00:19:52.099 --> 00:19:53.200 and the Holy One 00:19:53.200 --> 00:19:53.799 of Israel 00:19:53.799 --> 00:19:54.680 is your Redeemer, 00:19:55.000 --> 00:19:56.200 the God of the whole earth 00:19:56.200 --> 00:19:56.920 that he is called. 00:19:57.640 --> 00:19:58.180 For the Lord 00:19:58.180 --> 00:19:59.119 has called you 00:19:59.119 --> 00:19:59.940 like a wife, 00:20:00.400 --> 00:20:01.460 deserted and grieved 00:20:01.460 --> 00:20:02.079 in spirit, 00:20:02.759 --> 00:20:03.920 like a wife of youth 00:20:03.920 --> 00:20:05.200 when she is cast off, 00:20:05.420 --> 00:20:06.740 says your God. 00:20:07.140 --> 00:20:07.980 So God here 00:20:07.980 --> 00:20:08.700 is described 00:20:08.700 --> 00:20:09.480 like a husband 00:20:09.480 --> 00:20:10.380 who redeems 00:20:10.380 --> 00:20:11.740 and calls to himself 00:20:11.740 --> 00:20:13.020 an unfaithful wife 00:20:13.020 --> 00:20:14.180 that has been cast off. 00:20:15.060 --> 00:20:16.100 So what's in view here 00:20:16.100 --> 00:20:17.480 is a marriage supper 00:20:17.480 --> 00:20:18.980 of God 00:20:18.980 --> 00:20:21.580 described in Revelation 19. 00:20:21.780 --> 00:20:22.780 It's a picture of heaven. 00:20:24.160 --> 00:20:25.220 And we can see this point 00:20:25.220 --> 00:20:26.600 also in the word invite. 00:20:26.720 --> 00:20:28.480 If you scan verses 7-24 00:20:28.480 --> 00:20:29.120 in our passage, 00:20:29.240 --> 00:20:29.640 you will notice 00:20:29.640 --> 00:20:30.640 that the word invite 00:20:30.640 --> 00:20:32.280 is repeated many times. 00:20:32.900 --> 00:20:34.020 And the Greek word 00:20:34.020 --> 00:20:35.200 that is translated here 00:20:35.200 --> 00:20:35.900 as invite 00:20:35.900 --> 00:20:37.340 is actually the same word 00:20:37.340 --> 00:20:38.660 that is often translated 00:20:38.660 --> 00:20:39.480 as call, 00:20:39.480 --> 00:20:41.500 that God calls us. 00:20:42.839 --> 00:20:44.380 Early in Luke 5-32, 00:20:44.500 --> 00:20:44.860 Jesus said, 00:20:44.940 --> 00:20:45.440 I have not come 00:20:45.440 --> 00:20:46.799 to call the righteous 00:20:46.799 --> 00:20:48.740 but sinners to repentance. 00:20:48.920 --> 00:20:49.880 God calls sinners 00:20:49.880 --> 00:20:50.559 to repentance 00:20:50.559 --> 00:20:51.720 and calls sinners 00:20:51.720 --> 00:20:52.579 into his kingdom. 00:20:53.059 --> 00:20:54.059 And God calls 00:20:54.059 --> 00:20:54.880 his chosen people 00:20:54.880 --> 00:20:55.799 to enter into covenant 00:20:55.799 --> 00:20:57.019 relationship with him 00:20:57.019 --> 00:20:58.539 as his bride. 00:21:00.319 --> 00:21:01.240 So then the point 00:21:01.240 --> 00:21:02.779 that Jesus is driving home 00:21:02.779 --> 00:21:03.740 in this parable 00:21:03.740 --> 00:21:04.259 is this, 00:21:04.259 --> 00:21:06.620 only those who humbly 00:21:06.620 --> 00:21:08.259 acknowledge their unworthiness 00:21:08.259 --> 00:21:09.039 unworthiness 00:21:09.039 --> 00:21:10.079 will be seated 00:21:10.079 --> 00:21:12.579 at God's banqueting table. 00:21:13.220 --> 00:21:15.119 If you want to be honored 00:21:15.119 --> 00:21:16.240 in the kingdom of God, 00:21:16.680 --> 00:21:17.519 humble yourself 00:21:17.519 --> 00:21:18.359 before God. 00:21:19.099 --> 00:21:20.559 Acknowledge your sins. 00:21:21.019 --> 00:21:22.339 Admit your unworthiness. 00:21:22.519 --> 00:21:23.319 Don't show off 00:21:23.319 --> 00:21:24.140 your credentials. 00:21:24.720 --> 00:21:25.299 Don't vaunt 00:21:25.299 --> 00:21:26.619 your service activities. 00:21:27.759 --> 00:21:28.039 Instead, 00:21:28.220 --> 00:21:29.319 humble yourself before him 00:21:29.319 --> 00:21:30.480 and then he will 00:21:30.480 --> 00:21:31.420 exalt you. 00:21:32.359 --> 00:21:33.480 At this point, 00:21:33.599 --> 00:21:34.819 we might think to ourselves, 00:21:34.819 --> 00:21:35.839 well, at least, 00:21:36.720 --> 00:21:38.639 even if prideful people 00:21:38.639 --> 00:21:39.319 get humiliated 00:21:39.319 --> 00:21:39.839 in front of all 00:21:39.839 --> 00:21:40.439 the other guests, 00:21:40.779 --> 00:21:41.819 hey, they still get to sit 00:21:41.819 --> 00:21:42.720 at the lowest place 00:21:42.720 --> 00:21:43.619 at God's marriage supper, 00:21:43.700 --> 00:21:43.899 right? 00:21:44.980 --> 00:21:46.439 So you might say that. 00:21:46.839 --> 00:21:47.679 So does that mean 00:21:47.679 --> 00:21:48.539 that these Pharisees 00:21:48.539 --> 00:21:49.159 will be saved? 00:21:50.919 --> 00:21:51.839 That they'll be part 00:21:51.839 --> 00:21:52.679 of the kingdom of God? 00:21:53.240 --> 00:21:55.059 If we say that, 00:21:55.119 --> 00:21:56.159 I think we're pressing 00:21:56.159 --> 00:21:58.319 the incidental details 00:21:58.319 --> 00:21:58.960 of the parable 00:21:58.960 --> 00:21:59.779 a little too far. 00:22:00.339 --> 00:22:01.359 I don't think 00:22:01.359 --> 00:22:02.200 that this parable 00:22:02.200 --> 00:22:02.740 is intended 00:22:02.740 --> 00:22:03.700 to make that point. 00:22:04.299 --> 00:22:05.240 Everyone who exalts 00:22:05.240 --> 00:22:06.299 himself will be humbled 00:22:06.299 --> 00:22:07.059 and he who humbles 00:22:07.059 --> 00:22:08.019 himself will be exalted. 00:22:08.099 --> 00:22:08.779 That's an echo 00:22:08.779 --> 00:22:10.140 of what Jesus said earlier 00:22:10.140 --> 00:22:12.279 in Luke 13, 28-30 00:22:12.279 --> 00:22:13.240 where he warns 00:22:13.240 --> 00:22:14.460 that the Pharisees 00:22:14.460 --> 00:22:15.940 will see people 00:22:15.940 --> 00:22:17.120 from east to west 00:22:17.120 --> 00:22:18.420 and from north and south 00:22:18.420 --> 00:22:19.519 all enter 00:22:19.519 --> 00:22:20.500 in the kingdom of God 00:22:20.500 --> 00:22:21.400 and recline at table 00:22:21.400 --> 00:22:21.880 with him, 00:22:22.380 --> 00:22:22.920 but then 00:22:22.920 --> 00:22:25.539 find themselves 00:22:25.539 --> 00:22:27.279 excluded 00:22:27.279 --> 00:22:29.220 and cast off. 00:22:30.039 --> 00:22:31.079 And then Jesus says 00:22:31.079 --> 00:22:31.859 to them, 00:22:31.859 --> 00:22:32.399 behold, 00:22:32.559 --> 00:22:33.939 some are last 00:22:33.939 --> 00:22:34.740 who will be first 00:22:34.740 --> 00:22:36.319 and some are first 00:22:36.319 --> 00:22:37.119 who will be last. 00:22:37.619 --> 00:22:37.959 And there, 00:22:38.079 --> 00:22:39.139 the last doesn't mean 00:22:39.139 --> 00:22:39.759 that you're least 00:22:39.759 --> 00:22:40.519 in the kingdom of God. 00:22:40.599 --> 00:22:41.699 It means that you are excluded. 00:22:41.879 --> 00:22:42.519 You're cast out 00:22:42.519 --> 00:22:43.379 from the kingdom of God. 00:22:43.819 --> 00:22:44.979 So I think the same meaning 00:22:44.979 --> 00:22:45.819 applies here. 00:22:46.399 --> 00:22:47.599 To be humiliated 00:22:47.599 --> 00:22:48.199 at the banquet 00:22:48.199 --> 00:22:49.240 and asked to 00:22:49.240 --> 00:22:50.319 empty your seat 00:22:50.319 --> 00:22:51.240 for someone else 00:22:51.240 --> 00:22:53.679 is a sign of exclusion. 00:22:54.859 --> 00:22:55.359 The point of, 00:22:55.719 --> 00:22:56.299 and this point 00:22:56.299 --> 00:22:56.759 is confirmed 00:22:56.759 --> 00:22:58.299 in the last part 00:22:58.299 --> 00:22:59.619 of our passage. 00:22:59.619 --> 00:23:02.039 When Jesus saw 00:23:02.039 --> 00:23:03.119 the Pharisees, 00:23:04.559 --> 00:23:05.879 their disapproval 00:23:05.879 --> 00:23:06.839 of Jesus healing 00:23:06.839 --> 00:23:08.159 a man with dropsy 00:23:08.159 --> 00:23:08.579 on the Sabbath, 00:23:08.719 --> 00:23:09.179 he denounced 00:23:09.179 --> 00:23:09.939 their legalism 00:23:09.939 --> 00:23:10.799 in contrast to love. 00:23:11.239 --> 00:23:12.259 And then he also 00:23:12.259 --> 00:23:13.119 denounced their pursuit 00:23:13.119 --> 00:23:13.579 of honor 00:23:13.579 --> 00:23:14.459 rather than humility. 00:23:15.079 --> 00:23:15.859 And now Jesus 00:23:15.859 --> 00:23:17.299 makes another observation, 00:23:17.500 --> 00:23:18.179 namely that 00:23:18.179 --> 00:23:19.500 the ruler of the Pharisees 00:23:19.500 --> 00:23:20.879 had invited 00:23:20.879 --> 00:23:21.759 his friends, 00:23:21.959 --> 00:23:22.279 brothers, 00:23:22.559 --> 00:23:23.059 relatives, 00:23:23.619 --> 00:23:24.279 rich neighbors, 00:23:24.539 --> 00:23:25.439 prominent members 00:23:25.439 --> 00:23:26.359 of society, 00:23:26.359 --> 00:23:27.379 but not 00:23:27.379 --> 00:23:28.599 the poor, 00:23:28.819 --> 00:23:29.259 the crippled, 00:23:29.359 --> 00:23:29.740 the lame, 00:23:29.839 --> 00:23:30.299 the blind. 00:23:31.259 --> 00:23:32.159 The man with dropsy 00:23:32.159 --> 00:23:33.119 after he had received 00:23:33.119 --> 00:23:33.879 healing left. 00:23:36.979 --> 00:23:38.379 Jesus uses this 00:23:38.379 --> 00:23:39.139 as an opportunity 00:23:39.139 --> 00:23:39.819 to teach that 00:23:39.819 --> 00:23:40.599 the kingdom of God 00:23:40.599 --> 00:23:41.319 belongs, 00:23:41.599 --> 00:23:42.479 figuratively speaking, 00:23:42.839 --> 00:23:43.959 not to the prosperous 00:23:43.959 --> 00:23:45.419 but to the poor. 00:23:46.939 --> 00:23:47.740 So let's read 00:23:47.740 --> 00:23:49.539 verses 12 to 14 together. 00:23:49.639 --> 00:23:50.240 I'll read out loud 00:23:50.240 --> 00:23:51.039 if you would follow along 00:23:51.039 --> 00:23:51.359 with me. 00:23:51.439 --> 00:23:52.439 Verses 12 to 14. 00:23:53.139 --> 00:23:53.899 He said also 00:23:53.899 --> 00:23:54.479 to the man 00:23:54.480 --> 00:23:55.400 who had invited him, 00:23:55.880 --> 00:23:56.599 when you give 00:23:56.599 --> 00:23:57.680 a dinner or a banquet, 00:23:57.880 --> 00:23:58.539 do not invite 00:23:58.539 --> 00:23:59.099 your friends 00:23:59.099 --> 00:23:59.680 or your brothers 00:23:59.680 --> 00:24:00.440 or your relatives 00:24:00.440 --> 00:24:01.380 or rich neighbors 00:24:01.380 --> 00:24:02.360 lest they also 00:24:02.360 --> 00:24:03.500 invite you in return 00:24:03.500 --> 00:24:04.279 and you be repaid. 00:24:04.860 --> 00:24:05.579 But when you give 00:24:05.579 --> 00:24:06.039 a feast, 00:24:06.140 --> 00:24:06.940 invite the poor, 00:24:07.039 --> 00:24:07.559 the crippled, 00:24:07.700 --> 00:24:08.200 the lame, 00:24:08.299 --> 00:24:08.759 the blind, 00:24:08.900 --> 00:24:10.099 and you will be blessed 00:24:10.099 --> 00:24:11.059 because they cannot 00:24:11.059 --> 00:24:11.700 repay you. 00:24:12.039 --> 00:24:13.480 For you will be repaid 00:24:13.480 --> 00:24:14.279 at the resurrection 00:24:14.279 --> 00:24:15.220 of the just. 00:24:16.160 --> 00:24:17.420 As sinful human beings, 00:24:17.519 --> 00:24:18.660 we are by nature 00:24:18.660 --> 00:24:19.839 selfish, 00:24:20.120 --> 00:24:21.180 so our natural inclination 00:24:21.180 --> 00:24:22.460 is to do favors 00:24:22.460 --> 00:24:22.900 for people 00:24:22.900 --> 00:24:23.779 who can return 00:24:23.779 --> 00:24:24.180 the favor. 00:24:25.480 --> 00:24:26.860 We call it networking, 00:24:27.160 --> 00:24:27.339 right? 00:24:28.660 --> 00:24:29.720 We size people 00:24:29.720 --> 00:24:30.900 up and down 00:24:30.900 --> 00:24:31.900 to see if they have 00:24:31.900 --> 00:24:32.579 something that they 00:24:32.579 --> 00:24:33.539 can offer us. 00:24:33.759 --> 00:24:34.759 Is this neighbor 00:24:34.759 --> 00:24:37.059 nice enough, 00:24:37.180 --> 00:24:37.680 rich enough, 00:24:37.779 --> 00:24:38.480 successful enough 00:24:38.480 --> 00:24:39.120 to be worth 00:24:39.120 --> 00:24:39.960 building a relationship 00:24:39.960 --> 00:24:40.339 with? 00:24:41.460 --> 00:24:42.920 Is this fellow student 00:24:42.920 --> 00:24:43.940 smart enough 00:24:43.940 --> 00:24:45.620 to be helpful 00:24:45.620 --> 00:24:46.839 in my studies? 00:24:47.640 --> 00:24:48.839 Does this person 00:24:48.839 --> 00:24:49.700 work at a firm 00:24:49.700 --> 00:24:50.440 or a company 00:24:50.440 --> 00:24:51.839 that I might like 00:24:51.839 --> 00:24:52.360 to work at 00:24:52.360 --> 00:24:52.799 in the future? 00:24:52.799 --> 00:24:54.879 Can this professor 00:24:54.879 --> 00:24:55.639 help me 00:24:55.639 --> 00:24:56.779 secure a grant 00:24:56.779 --> 00:24:58.299 or write a strategic 00:24:58.299 --> 00:24:59.740 recommendation letter 00:24:59.740 --> 00:25:00.940 for me? 00:25:02.480 --> 00:25:03.519 Is this person 00:25:03.519 --> 00:25:04.379 powerful enough, 00:25:05.019 --> 00:25:06.139 influential enough? 00:25:07.139 --> 00:25:07.899 And once we have 00:25:07.899 --> 00:25:08.720 determined that the 00:25:08.720 --> 00:25:09.819 answer is yes, 00:25:09.980 --> 00:25:11.299 then we lavish them 00:25:11.299 --> 00:25:12.159 with compliments, 00:25:13.159 --> 00:25:16.200 show interest 00:25:16.200 --> 00:25:16.879 in their work, 00:25:17.799 --> 00:25:19.940 take them out to coffee, 00:25:19.940 --> 00:25:20.880 invite them over 00:25:20.880 --> 00:25:21.299 for dinner. 00:25:22.100 --> 00:25:24.100 But such social gifts 00:25:24.100 --> 00:25:25.680 we offer to people 00:25:25.680 --> 00:25:26.880 are not gifts 00:25:26.880 --> 00:25:27.380 at all. 00:25:27.900 --> 00:25:28.200 Rather, 00:25:28.320 --> 00:25:29.420 they are loans 00:25:29.420 --> 00:25:30.200 that we expect 00:25:30.200 --> 00:25:30.759 repaid. 00:25:32.039 --> 00:25:33.120 They're investments 00:25:33.120 --> 00:25:34.140 that we expect 00:25:34.140 --> 00:25:35.080 the return from. 00:25:35.079 --> 00:25:38.099 And Jesus is here 00:25:38.099 --> 00:25:38.639 teaching us 00:25:38.639 --> 00:25:39.500 to give without 00:25:39.500 --> 00:25:40.639 expecting anything 00:25:40.639 --> 00:25:41.299 in return. 00:25:41.799 --> 00:25:42.480 To be generous 00:25:42.480 --> 00:25:43.359 and hospitable, 00:25:43.839 --> 00:25:44.779 especially toward 00:25:44.779 --> 00:25:46.099 those who offer 00:25:46.099 --> 00:25:47.000 no return 00:25:47.000 --> 00:25:47.639 or payment. 00:25:48.539 --> 00:25:49.460 And why 00:25:49.460 --> 00:25:50.039 does Jesus 00:25:50.039 --> 00:25:50.559 do that? 00:25:50.619 --> 00:25:51.399 When you give 00:25:51.399 --> 00:25:52.379 to those who 00:25:52.379 --> 00:25:52.980 can return 00:25:52.980 --> 00:25:53.720 your favor, 00:25:54.039 --> 00:25:55.099 you have already 00:25:55.099 --> 00:25:56.339 received your reward 00:25:56.339 --> 00:25:57.099 here on earth. 00:25:57.980 --> 00:25:58.659 But if you're 00:25:58.659 --> 00:25:59.379 generous to those 00:25:59.379 --> 00:26:00.319 who cannot repay, 00:26:01.159 --> 00:26:02.039 if you do a favor 00:26:02.039 --> 00:26:02.579 for those who 00:26:02.579 --> 00:26:03.319 cannot return 00:26:03.319 --> 00:26:03.859 the favor, 00:26:03.859 --> 00:26:04.740 God says, 00:26:04.939 --> 00:26:06.240 I will see to it 00:26:06.240 --> 00:26:07.319 that you are 00:26:07.319 --> 00:26:08.219 repaid at the 00:26:08.219 --> 00:26:08.679 resurrection 00:26:08.679 --> 00:26:10.099 of the just. 00:26:11.099 --> 00:26:11.699 So then, 00:26:11.879 --> 00:26:12.500 we don't need 00:26:12.500 --> 00:26:13.399 to virtue signal 00:26:13.399 --> 00:26:14.279 to everyone around 00:26:14.279 --> 00:26:15.559 us about all 00:26:15.559 --> 00:26:16.019 the good work 00:26:16.019 --> 00:26:16.659 that we're doing. 00:26:17.679 --> 00:26:18.319 We could do 00:26:18.319 --> 00:26:19.179 good deeds 00:26:19.179 --> 00:26:19.859 even when 00:26:19.859 --> 00:26:21.179 no one is looking 00:26:21.179 --> 00:26:22.439 because God 00:26:22.439 --> 00:26:23.079 sees it 00:26:23.079 --> 00:26:23.899 and He promises 00:26:23.899 --> 00:26:25.099 to reward it. 00:26:27.139 --> 00:26:28.099 In a world 00:26:28.099 --> 00:26:28.799 where everyone 00:26:28.799 --> 00:26:29.959 is selfish 00:26:29.959 --> 00:26:30.740 and looking out 00:26:30.740 --> 00:26:31.379 for their own 00:26:31.379 --> 00:26:32.039 interests, 00:26:32.459 --> 00:26:33.659 give and take 00:26:33.660 --> 00:26:34.740 is the natural 00:26:34.740 --> 00:26:35.779 really only 00:26:35.779 --> 00:26:36.880 sustainable policy. 00:26:37.680 --> 00:26:38.720 But as citizens 00:26:38.720 --> 00:26:39.640 of the kingdom 00:26:39.640 --> 00:26:40.240 of God, 00:26:40.360 --> 00:26:41.160 as people 00:26:41.160 --> 00:26:41.960 who believe 00:26:41.960 --> 00:26:42.960 that God 00:26:42.960 --> 00:26:43.800 sees everything, 00:26:43.900 --> 00:26:44.460 that He will 00:26:44.460 --> 00:26:45.519 reward every 00:26:45.519 --> 00:26:46.140 good work 00:26:46.140 --> 00:26:46.860 that we do 00:26:46.860 --> 00:26:47.580 in His name, 00:26:47.660 --> 00:26:48.800 we can give 00:26:48.800 --> 00:26:50.320 without taking. 00:26:51.840 --> 00:26:52.880 We can serve 00:26:52.880 --> 00:26:53.700 without badges 00:26:53.700 --> 00:26:54.960 and accolades. 00:26:55.460 --> 00:26:56.060 We can love 00:26:56.060 --> 00:26:57.240 without expecting 00:26:57.240 --> 00:26:58.720 anything back. 00:26:59.300 --> 00:26:59.820 That's the 00:26:59.820 --> 00:27:00.840 functional effect 00:27:00.840 --> 00:27:01.460 of our belief 00:27:01.460 --> 00:27:01.980 in God 00:27:01.980 --> 00:27:02.500 and the 00:27:02.500 --> 00:27:02.819 resurrection 00:27:02.819 --> 00:27:03.160 of the 00:27:03.160 --> 00:27:03.440 just. 00:27:05.259 --> 00:27:06.019 And Jesus' 00:27:06.200 --> 00:27:06.980 previous parable 00:27:06.980 --> 00:27:07.660 about a wedding 00:27:07.660 --> 00:27:08.059 feast, 00:27:08.220 --> 00:27:08.740 as well as 00:27:08.740 --> 00:27:09.400 His ongoing 00:27:09.400 --> 00:27:10.519 banquet imagery 00:27:10.519 --> 00:27:11.299 and what He 00:27:11.299 --> 00:27:11.740 says here 00:27:11.740 --> 00:27:12.079 about the 00:27:12.079 --> 00:27:12.380 resurrection 00:27:12.380 --> 00:27:12.720 of the 00:27:12.720 --> 00:27:13.039 just, 00:27:13.440 --> 00:27:14.019 prompt one 00:27:14.019 --> 00:27:14.279 of the 00:27:14.279 --> 00:27:14.640 guests 00:27:14.640 --> 00:27:15.319 to think 00:27:15.319 --> 00:27:15.700 about 00:27:15.700 --> 00:27:17.099 the ultimate 00:27:17.099 --> 00:27:17.539 banquet 00:27:17.539 --> 00:27:18.480 that God 00:27:18.480 --> 00:27:19.380 promises 00:27:19.380 --> 00:27:20.539 His followers. 00:27:20.539 --> 00:27:21.500 In verse 15, 00:27:21.599 --> 00:27:21.940 He says, 00:27:22.400 --> 00:27:23.059 Blessed is 00:27:23.059 --> 00:27:24.099 everyone 00:27:24.099 --> 00:27:24.960 who will eat 00:27:24.960 --> 00:27:25.900 bread in the 00:27:25.900 --> 00:27:26.799 kingdom of God. 00:27:26.799 --> 00:27:26.819 God. 00:27:27.519 --> 00:27:28.259 The underlying 00:27:28.259 --> 00:27:28.980 assumption of 00:27:28.980 --> 00:27:29.519 this guest 00:27:29.519 --> 00:27:30.259 is likely 00:27:30.259 --> 00:27:30.960 that He 00:27:30.960 --> 00:27:31.839 and others 00:27:31.839 --> 00:27:32.659 like Him, 00:27:32.859 --> 00:27:33.379 the prominent 00:27:33.379 --> 00:27:33.799 members of 00:27:33.799 --> 00:27:34.259 society at 00:27:34.259 --> 00:27:34.879 this banquet, 00:27:35.680 --> 00:27:36.220 that they 00:27:36.220 --> 00:27:36.839 will be the 00:27:36.839 --> 00:27:37.139 ones who 00:27:37.139 --> 00:27:38.079 eat bread 00:27:38.079 --> 00:27:38.399 in the 00:27:38.399 --> 00:27:38.799 kingdom of 00:27:38.799 --> 00:27:39.039 God. 00:27:39.599 --> 00:27:40.139 But then 00:27:40.139 --> 00:27:41.000 Jesus shatters 00:27:41.000 --> 00:27:41.759 that expectation 00:27:41.759 --> 00:27:42.480 again in 00:27:42.480 --> 00:27:43.279 verses 16 00:27:43.279 --> 00:27:43.859 to 17. 00:27:44.519 --> 00:27:44.940 He gives 00:27:44.940 --> 00:27:45.539 another parable. 00:27:45.639 --> 00:27:45.779 He says, 00:27:45.859 --> 00:27:46.559 A man once 00:27:46.559 --> 00:27:47.379 gave a great 00:27:47.379 --> 00:27:48.059 banquet and 00:27:48.059 --> 00:27:48.819 invited many. 00:27:49.799 --> 00:27:50.279 And at the 00:27:50.279 --> 00:27:50.919 time for the 00:27:50.919 --> 00:27:51.159 banquet, 00:27:51.240 --> 00:27:51.799 he sent the 00:27:51.799 --> 00:27:52.259 servant to 00:27:52.259 --> 00:27:52.799 say to those 00:27:52.799 --> 00:27:53.279 who had been 00:27:53.279 --> 00:27:53.619 invited, 00:27:54.059 --> 00:27:54.299 Come, 00:27:54.579 --> 00:27:55.039 for everything 00:27:55.039 --> 00:27:55.639 is not ready. 00:27:55.640 --> 00:27:56.720 So this is a 00:27:56.720 --> 00:27:57.580 great banquet, 00:27:57.700 --> 00:27:58.140 much like the 00:27:58.140 --> 00:27:58.600 wedding feast 00:27:58.600 --> 00:27:59.440 that preceded 00:27:59.440 --> 00:27:59.940 this parable. 00:28:00.259 --> 00:28:00.840 And the host 00:28:00.840 --> 00:28:01.660 invited many 00:28:01.660 --> 00:28:02.120 people, 00:28:02.220 --> 00:28:02.720 and it seems 00:28:02.720 --> 00:28:03.060 that these 00:28:03.060 --> 00:28:04.960 people RSVP'd 00:28:04.960 --> 00:28:05.180 saying, 00:28:05.300 --> 00:28:05.560 Yes, 00:28:05.740 --> 00:28:06.220 they'll come. 00:28:06.860 --> 00:28:07.460 Because when 00:28:07.460 --> 00:28:08.040 the party is 00:28:08.040 --> 00:28:08.400 ready, 00:28:08.540 --> 00:28:08.960 everything is 00:28:08.960 --> 00:28:09.160 ready, 00:28:09.280 --> 00:28:09.940 he sends a 00:28:09.940 --> 00:28:10.460 servant telling 00:28:10.460 --> 00:28:10.680 them, 00:28:10.759 --> 00:28:10.880 Hey, 00:28:11.020 --> 00:28:11.460 it's ready, 00:28:11.560 --> 00:28:12.080 so come now. 00:28:12.160 --> 00:28:12.520 You said you 00:28:12.520 --> 00:28:12.860 would come, 00:28:13.259 --> 00:28:13.720 now come, 00:28:13.860 --> 00:28:14.360 everything is 00:28:14.360 --> 00:28:14.540 ready. 00:28:15.400 --> 00:28:16.120 But it says 00:28:16.120 --> 00:28:16.820 in verse 18, 00:28:16.920 --> 00:28:17.880 they all alike 00:28:17.880 --> 00:28:18.880 began to make 00:28:18.880 --> 00:28:19.520 excuses. 00:28:20.480 --> 00:28:21.280 The first said 00:28:21.280 --> 00:28:21.680 to him, 00:28:21.759 --> 00:28:22.220 I have bought 00:28:22.220 --> 00:28:22.720 a field, 00:28:23.520 --> 00:28:24.140 and I must go 00:28:24.140 --> 00:28:24.880 out and see it. 00:28:24.880 --> 00:28:25.740 Please have 00:28:25.740 --> 00:28:26.400 me excused. 00:28:26.700 --> 00:28:27.100 And another 00:28:27.100 --> 00:28:27.380 said, 00:28:27.440 --> 00:28:27.840 I have bought 00:28:27.840 --> 00:28:28.600 five yoke of 00:28:28.600 --> 00:28:29.060 oxen, 00:28:29.280 --> 00:28:29.680 and I go 00:28:29.680 --> 00:28:30.200 to examine 00:28:30.200 --> 00:28:30.480 them. 00:28:30.920 --> 00:28:31.520 Please have 00:28:31.520 --> 00:28:32.220 me excused. 00:28:32.620 --> 00:28:33.000 And another 00:28:33.000 --> 00:28:33.200 said, 00:28:33.240 --> 00:28:33.720 I have married 00:28:33.720 --> 00:28:34.300 a wife, 00:28:34.440 --> 00:28:34.780 and therefore 00:28:34.780 --> 00:28:35.240 I cannot 00:28:35.240 --> 00:28:35.640 come. 00:28:37.160 --> 00:28:37.880 They all 00:28:37.880 --> 00:28:38.960 initially told 00:28:38.960 --> 00:28:39.460 the host 00:28:39.460 --> 00:28:39.660 that they 00:28:39.660 --> 00:28:40.080 would come, 00:28:40.180 --> 00:28:40.600 but when the 00:28:40.600 --> 00:28:41.300 final date 00:28:41.300 --> 00:28:42.120 was announced, 00:28:42.300 --> 00:28:43.000 they had 00:28:43.000 --> 00:28:43.480 scheduling 00:28:43.480 --> 00:28:44.060 conflicts, 00:28:44.059 --> 00:28:45.839 and they 00:28:45.839 --> 00:28:46.319 informed the 00:28:46.319 --> 00:28:46.720 host that 00:28:46.720 --> 00:28:47.119 regrettably 00:28:47.119 --> 00:28:47.559 they cannot 00:28:47.559 --> 00:28:48.259 come anymore. 00:28:49.299 --> 00:28:50.059 And we've 00:28:50.059 --> 00:28:50.379 all done 00:28:50.379 --> 00:28:51.000 this before, 00:28:52.259 --> 00:28:52.879 and all 00:28:52.879 --> 00:28:54.019 three of 00:28:54.019 --> 00:28:54.440 these people 00:28:54.440 --> 00:28:55.179 have seemingly 00:28:55.179 --> 00:28:56.500 reasonable 00:28:56.500 --> 00:28:57.759 objections. 00:28:57.960 --> 00:28:58.159 They have 00:28:58.159 --> 00:28:58.659 legitimate 00:28:58.659 --> 00:28:59.899 reasons. 00:29:00.879 --> 00:29:01.659 The first 00:29:01.659 --> 00:29:02.179 person just 00:29:02.179 --> 00:29:02.700 purchased a 00:29:02.700 --> 00:29:03.039 field, 00:29:03.859 --> 00:29:04.519 which back 00:29:04.519 --> 00:29:05.659 then was a 00:29:05.659 --> 00:29:06.119 source of 00:29:06.119 --> 00:29:07.119 livelihood for 00:29:07.119 --> 00:29:07.919 most families. 00:29:08.359 --> 00:29:09.119 It's probably 00:29:09.119 --> 00:29:10.059 as significant 00:29:10.059 --> 00:29:11.019 as choosing 00:29:11.019 --> 00:29:12.379 or as closing 00:29:12.379 --> 00:29:13.000 on a house 00:29:13.000 --> 00:29:13.440 nowadays. 00:29:14.200 --> 00:29:14.680 It's a 00:29:14.680 --> 00:29:15.220 significant 00:29:15.220 --> 00:29:15.779 purchase. 00:29:16.740 --> 00:29:17.140 And after 00:29:17.140 --> 00:29:17.539 such a 00:29:17.539 --> 00:29:17.859 significant 00:29:17.859 --> 00:29:18.160 purchase, 00:29:18.240 --> 00:29:18.740 usually there's 00:29:18.740 --> 00:29:19.119 plenty of 00:29:19.119 --> 00:29:19.440 things to 00:29:19.440 --> 00:29:19.740 do. 00:29:20.640 --> 00:29:21.240 Inspection, 00:29:21.460 --> 00:29:21.819 cleanup, 00:29:22.319 --> 00:29:22.759 planning, 00:29:22.980 --> 00:29:23.200 etc. 00:29:25.299 --> 00:29:25.940 And the 00:29:25.940 --> 00:29:26.519 second person 00:29:26.519 --> 00:29:27.059 just bought 00:29:27.059 --> 00:29:28.180 five yoke of 00:29:28.180 --> 00:29:28.500 oxen. 00:29:28.599 --> 00:29:29.339 This too is 00:29:29.339 --> 00:29:30.299 a significant 00:29:30.299 --> 00:29:31.299 purchase. 00:29:31.880 --> 00:29:32.220 To a 00:29:32.220 --> 00:29:32.819 farmer back 00:29:32.819 --> 00:29:33.059 then, 00:29:33.140 --> 00:29:33.740 oxen were 00:29:33.740 --> 00:29:34.500 the primary 00:29:34.500 --> 00:29:35.160 tools of 00:29:35.160 --> 00:29:35.579 the trade. 00:29:36.059 --> 00:29:36.779 And five 00:29:36.779 --> 00:29:37.759 is a large 00:29:37.759 --> 00:29:38.079 number. 00:29:38.180 --> 00:29:38.740 Usually farmers 00:29:38.740 --> 00:29:39.160 in this day 00:29:39.160 --> 00:29:39.619 and age only 00:29:39.619 --> 00:29:40.240 had one or 00:29:40.240 --> 00:29:40.960 two oxen. 00:29:40.960 --> 00:29:43.360 So it's 00:29:43.360 --> 00:29:43.920 kind of like 00:29:43.920 --> 00:29:44.940 a modern 00:29:44.940 --> 00:29:45.480 day Uber 00:29:45.480 --> 00:29:46.180 driver buying 00:29:46.180 --> 00:29:46.720 an expensive 00:29:46.720 --> 00:29:47.380 new car that 00:29:47.380 --> 00:29:47.960 he intends to 00:29:47.960 --> 00:29:48.440 use for his 00:29:48.440 --> 00:29:48.720 work. 00:29:49.779 --> 00:29:50.539 And when you 00:29:50.539 --> 00:29:51.100 buy something 00:29:51.100 --> 00:29:51.740 that's significant, 00:29:52.299 --> 00:29:53.140 you have to 00:29:53.140 --> 00:29:54.039 test drive it. 00:29:54.620 --> 00:29:54.980 You have to 00:29:54.980 --> 00:29:55.420 make sure that 00:29:55.420 --> 00:29:56.039 everything is set 00:29:56.039 --> 00:29:56.340 up. 00:29:56.980 --> 00:29:57.759 It requires 00:29:57.759 --> 00:29:58.200 time. 00:29:59.000 --> 00:29:59.700 It's a busy 00:29:59.700 --> 00:30:00.500 season for this 00:30:00.500 --> 00:30:01.200 person as well. 00:30:01.920 --> 00:30:02.620 And the third 00:30:02.620 --> 00:30:03.240 person I think 00:30:03.240 --> 00:30:03.960 has the best 00:30:03.960 --> 00:30:04.960 excuse of them 00:30:04.960 --> 00:30:05.240 all. 00:30:05.240 --> 00:30:08.859 I have 00:30:08.859 --> 00:30:09.259 married a 00:30:09.259 --> 00:30:09.559 wife. 00:30:11.680 --> 00:30:12.259 There are 00:30:12.259 --> 00:30:12.500 a few 00:30:12.500 --> 00:30:13.019 things in 00:30:13.019 --> 00:30:13.920 life that 00:30:13.920 --> 00:30:14.299 are as 00:30:14.299 --> 00:30:15.019 momentous 00:30:15.019 --> 00:30:16.019 and life 00:30:16.019 --> 00:30:16.680 altering as 00:30:16.680 --> 00:30:17.220 getting married. 00:30:18.660 --> 00:30:19.140 So this 00:30:19.140 --> 00:30:19.640 man thinks 00:30:19.640 --> 00:30:20.180 his excuse 00:30:20.180 --> 00:30:20.799 is so good 00:30:20.799 --> 00:30:21.160 he doesn't 00:30:21.160 --> 00:30:21.720 even bother 00:30:21.720 --> 00:30:22.220 to ask 00:30:22.220 --> 00:30:22.839 formally to 00:30:22.839 --> 00:30:23.440 be excused. 00:30:23.880 --> 00:30:24.259 He just 00:30:24.259 --> 00:30:24.559 says, 00:30:24.859 --> 00:30:25.019 I've 00:30:25.019 --> 00:30:25.380 married a 00:30:25.380 --> 00:30:25.720 wife and 00:30:25.720 --> 00:30:26.059 therefore I 00:30:26.059 --> 00:30:26.579 cannot come. 00:30:28.460 --> 00:30:29.140 And these 00:30:29.140 --> 00:30:29.980 three reasons 00:30:29.980 --> 00:30:31.299 together represent 00:30:31.299 --> 00:30:32.579 the essential 00:30:32.579 --> 00:30:34.579 preoccupations of 00:30:34.579 --> 00:30:34.859 life. 00:30:35.240 --> 00:30:37.420 property, 00:30:37.900 --> 00:30:39.140 job, 00:30:40.220 --> 00:30:40.740 family. 00:30:43.299 --> 00:30:44.539 But even 00:30:44.539 --> 00:30:45.740 these 00:30:45.740 --> 00:30:46.599 concerns 00:30:46.599 --> 00:30:48.039 are not 00:30:48.039 --> 00:30:49.019 valid 00:30:49.019 --> 00:30:49.839 reasons 00:30:49.839 --> 00:30:50.900 to stay 00:30:50.900 --> 00:30:51.599 away from 00:30:51.599 --> 00:30:51.900 the kingdom 00:30:51.900 --> 00:30:52.380 of God 00:30:52.380 --> 00:30:53.240 and refuse 00:30:53.240 --> 00:30:53.980 to partake 00:30:53.980 --> 00:30:54.759 in the 00:30:54.759 --> 00:30:55.099 banquet. 00:30:57.160 --> 00:30:57.980 And this 00:30:57.980 --> 00:30:58.420 should be an 00:30:58.420 --> 00:30:59.720 important warning 00:30:59.720 --> 00:31:00.539 for all of us 00:31:00.539 --> 00:31:01.279 because what 00:31:01.279 --> 00:31:02.000 keeps people 00:31:02.000 --> 00:31:02.799 away from 00:31:02.799 --> 00:31:03.480 the heavenly 00:31:03.480 --> 00:31:05.099 banquet here 00:31:05.099 --> 00:31:06.019 in this 00:31:06.019 --> 00:31:06.659 passage is 00:31:06.659 --> 00:31:07.199 not some 00:31:07.199 --> 00:31:07.779 shocking 00:31:07.779 --> 00:31:08.480 scandal 00:31:08.480 --> 00:31:09.740 or heinous 00:31:09.740 --> 00:31:10.480 crime 00:31:10.480 --> 00:31:11.639 but the 00:31:11.639 --> 00:31:12.699 normal and 00:31:12.699 --> 00:31:13.379 socially 00:31:13.379 --> 00:31:14.279 acceptable 00:31:14.279 --> 00:31:14.919 commitments of 00:31:14.919 --> 00:31:15.279 life. 00:31:18.839 --> 00:31:19.599 Sure, 00:31:19.719 --> 00:31:20.119 being an 00:31:20.119 --> 00:31:21.000 unrepentant 00:31:21.000 --> 00:31:22.199 thief can 00:31:22.199 --> 00:31:22.799 keep you out 00:31:22.799 --> 00:31:23.000 of the 00:31:23.000 --> 00:31:23.299 banquet, 00:31:23.419 --> 00:31:24.019 that's true. 00:31:24.519 --> 00:31:25.159 But you 00:31:25.159 --> 00:31:26.019 can also be 00:31:26.019 --> 00:31:26.939 too distracted 00:31:26.940 --> 00:31:27.620 tempted by 00:31:27.620 --> 00:31:28.559 building honest 00:31:28.559 --> 00:31:29.500 wealth and 00:31:29.500 --> 00:31:30.220 enjoying the 00:31:30.220 --> 00:31:30.860 security and 00:31:30.860 --> 00:31:31.480 luxury that 00:31:31.480 --> 00:31:32.180 it can buy, 00:31:32.680 --> 00:31:33.019 that you 00:31:33.019 --> 00:31:33.740 dismiss the 00:31:33.740 --> 00:31:34.519 invitation to 00:31:34.519 --> 00:31:34.920 the great 00:31:34.920 --> 00:31:35.400 banquet of 00:31:35.400 --> 00:31:35.720 God. 00:31:39.860 --> 00:31:40.480 Sure, 00:31:40.620 --> 00:31:40.840 yes, 00:31:40.940 --> 00:31:41.640 being an 00:31:41.640 --> 00:31:42.580 unrepentant, 00:31:42.759 --> 00:31:43.340 lazy, 00:31:43.600 --> 00:31:44.500 glutton that 00:31:44.500 --> 00:31:45.220 doesn't do any 00:31:45.220 --> 00:31:45.980 work but lives 00:31:45.980 --> 00:31:46.559 off of other 00:31:46.559 --> 00:31:47.600 people's hard-earned 00:31:47.600 --> 00:31:48.100 money or 00:31:48.100 --> 00:31:48.519 taxpayers' 00:31:48.759 --> 00:31:49.059 dollars, 00:31:49.539 --> 00:31:49.700 yes, 00:31:49.799 --> 00:31:50.720 that can keep 00:31:50.720 --> 00:31:51.480 you out of the 00:31:51.480 --> 00:31:51.980 banquet if you 00:31:51.980 --> 00:31:52.460 don't repent. 00:31:52.460 --> 00:31:55.380 but you 00:31:55.380 --> 00:31:56.319 can also be 00:31:56.319 --> 00:31:57.920 so busy 00:31:57.920 --> 00:31:59.000 being a 00:31:59.000 --> 00:31:59.840 hard worker 00:31:59.840 --> 00:32:00.579 trying to 00:32:00.579 --> 00:32:01.160 provide for 00:32:01.160 --> 00:32:01.740 yourself and 00:32:01.740 --> 00:32:02.039 for your 00:32:02.039 --> 00:32:03.579 family that 00:32:03.579 --> 00:32:04.420 you miss out 00:32:04.420 --> 00:32:04.940 on the 00:32:04.940 --> 00:32:05.720 great eternal 00:32:05.720 --> 00:32:06.279 banquet. 00:32:10.740 --> 00:32:11.460 Sure, 00:32:11.620 --> 00:32:12.360 being an 00:32:12.360 --> 00:32:13.480 unrepentant, 00:32:13.779 --> 00:32:14.519 chauvinistic 00:32:14.519 --> 00:32:15.920 wife abuser 00:32:15.920 --> 00:32:16.980 can keep you 00:32:16.980 --> 00:32:17.380 out of the 00:32:17.380 --> 00:32:17.680 banquet. 00:32:17.680 --> 00:32:22.480 but you 00:32:22.480 --> 00:32:23.279 can also be 00:32:23.279 --> 00:32:24.279 a devoted 00:32:24.279 --> 00:32:25.220 husband that 00:32:25.220 --> 00:32:26.160 spends all 00:32:26.160 --> 00:32:26.980 his available 00:32:26.980 --> 00:32:28.240 time trying 00:32:28.240 --> 00:32:28.940 to please his 00:32:28.940 --> 00:32:29.820 wife and 00:32:29.820 --> 00:32:30.380 raise his 00:32:30.380 --> 00:32:31.200 kids that he 00:32:31.200 --> 00:32:32.039 neglects the 00:32:32.039 --> 00:32:32.799 pursuit of 00:32:32.799 --> 00:32:33.460 God and 00:32:33.460 --> 00:32:35.100 misses out on 00:32:35.100 --> 00:32:35.519 the kingdom 00:32:35.519 --> 00:32:35.980 of God. 00:32:39.100 --> 00:32:39.860 Think about 00:32:39.860 --> 00:32:40.200 it this way, 00:32:40.240 --> 00:32:40.779 imagine two 00:32:40.779 --> 00:32:41.259 drivers, 00:32:41.980 --> 00:32:44.000 both get 00:32:44.000 --> 00:32:44.519 into a fatal 00:32:44.519 --> 00:32:45.100 car accident. 00:32:46.600 --> 00:32:47.380 One of them 00:32:47.380 --> 00:32:47.800 got into a 00:32:47.800 --> 00:32:48.240 car accident 00:32:48.240 --> 00:32:49.740 because he 00:32:49.740 --> 00:32:50.540 was texting 00:32:50.540 --> 00:32:51.220 while driving 00:32:51.220 --> 00:32:52.340 and he 00:32:52.340 --> 00:32:53.280 was texting 00:32:53.280 --> 00:32:54.860 his dying 00:32:54.860 --> 00:32:55.620 mother on 00:32:55.620 --> 00:32:56.080 her death 00:32:56.080 --> 00:32:56.420 bed. 00:32:57.020 --> 00:32:57.360 It's like the 00:32:57.360 --> 00:32:57.960 last thing 00:32:57.960 --> 00:32:58.480 he could send 00:32:58.480 --> 00:32:58.880 to her. 00:32:59.600 --> 00:32:59.980 He got into a 00:32:59.980 --> 00:33:00.340 car accident 00:33:00.340 --> 00:33:00.660 and died. 00:33:01.940 --> 00:33:02.660 The other 00:33:02.660 --> 00:33:03.580 driver also was 00:33:03.580 --> 00:33:04.220 texting while 00:33:04.220 --> 00:33:05.100 driving but he 00:33:05.100 --> 00:33:06.000 was texting 00:33:06.000 --> 00:33:07.120 LOL to some 00:33:07.120 --> 00:33:08.000 recent acquaintance 00:33:08.000 --> 00:33:08.500 that he doesn't 00:33:08.500 --> 00:33:08.980 care anything 00:33:08.980 --> 00:33:09.320 about. 00:33:14.100 --> 00:33:15.120 Maybe one is 00:33:15.120 --> 00:33:16.020 more justifiable 00:33:16.020 --> 00:33:16.520 than the other. 00:33:16.519 --> 00:33:17.539 it's more 00:33:17.539 --> 00:33:18.519 acceptable than 00:33:18.519 --> 00:33:18.859 any other. 00:33:19.480 --> 00:33:19.879 But they 00:33:19.879 --> 00:33:20.420 both ended 00:33:20.420 --> 00:33:20.940 up dying. 00:33:24.859 --> 00:33:25.680 In a life 00:33:25.680 --> 00:33:26.000 or death 00:33:26.000 --> 00:33:26.579 situation, 00:33:26.720 --> 00:33:27.119 it doesn't 00:33:27.119 --> 00:33:27.660 matter what 00:33:27.660 --> 00:33:28.379 the excuse 00:33:28.379 --> 00:33:28.879 is. 00:33:28.980 --> 00:33:29.359 It's an 00:33:29.359 --> 00:33:29.900 excuse. 00:33:30.480 --> 00:33:31.019 And when it 00:33:31.019 --> 00:33:31.599 comes to the 00:33:31.599 --> 00:33:32.339 matter of the 00:33:32.339 --> 00:33:32.879 kingdom of 00:33:32.879 --> 00:33:33.220 God, 00:33:33.480 --> 00:33:33.839 when it 00:33:33.839 --> 00:33:34.180 comes to 00:33:34.180 --> 00:33:34.940 your eternal 00:33:34.940 --> 00:33:35.519 fate, 00:33:36.639 --> 00:33:37.519 it doesn't 00:33:37.519 --> 00:33:38.000 matter how 00:33:38.000 --> 00:33:38.440 good your 00:33:38.440 --> 00:33:39.460 excuse is. 00:33:39.940 --> 00:33:40.480 It's an 00:33:40.480 --> 00:33:41.059 excuse. 00:33:42.160 --> 00:33:42.460 And you 00:33:42.460 --> 00:33:43.220 must make a 00:33:43.220 --> 00:33:44.160 decision to 00:33:44.160 --> 00:33:44.900 follow Christ. 00:33:44.900 --> 00:33:45.940 there is no 00:33:45.940 --> 00:33:46.500 alternative. 00:33:49.860 --> 00:33:50.880 We can be 00:33:50.880 --> 00:33:52.000 socially accepted. 00:33:52.120 --> 00:33:52.540 We can be 00:33:52.540 --> 00:33:53.720 praised by the 00:33:53.720 --> 00:33:54.519 whole world. 00:33:54.700 --> 00:33:55.480 Yet because of 00:33:55.480 --> 00:33:56.519 the cares and 00:33:56.519 --> 00:33:57.440 the riches and 00:33:57.440 --> 00:33:58.460 the pleasures of 00:33:58.460 --> 00:33:58.940 life, 00:33:59.480 --> 00:34:02.320 fail to enter 00:34:02.320 --> 00:34:03.440 the kingdom of 00:34:03.440 --> 00:34:03.900 God and the 00:34:03.900 --> 00:34:04.700 banquet God has 00:34:04.700 --> 00:34:05.480 prepared for us. 00:34:08.160 --> 00:34:09.019 So that's what 00:34:09.019 --> 00:34:09.880 happened to these 00:34:09.880 --> 00:34:10.160 people. 00:34:10.639 --> 00:34:11.420 But the master of 00:34:11.420 --> 00:34:12.000 the house is not 00:34:12.000 --> 00:34:13.000 going to reschedule 00:34:13.000 --> 00:34:13.920 to accommodate 00:34:13.920 --> 00:34:14.519 these guests. 00:34:15.099 --> 00:34:16.119 The time has 00:34:16.119 --> 00:34:18.280 been set and 00:34:18.280 --> 00:34:18.900 the decisions 00:34:18.900 --> 00:34:20.260 have been made. 00:34:21.260 --> 00:34:22.380 But this master 00:34:22.380 --> 00:34:22.920 will also not 00:34:22.920 --> 00:34:23.500 have an empty 00:34:23.500 --> 00:34:23.820 banquet. 00:34:24.820 --> 00:34:25.739 So it says in 00:34:25.739 --> 00:34:26.300 verse 21, 00:34:26.440 --> 00:34:26.960 so the servant 00:34:26.960 --> 00:34:27.920 came and reported 00:34:27.920 --> 00:34:28.480 these things to 00:34:28.480 --> 00:34:28.940 his master. 00:34:29.460 --> 00:34:30.179 Then the master 00:34:30.179 --> 00:34:30.579 of the house 00:34:30.579 --> 00:34:31.599 became angry and 00:34:31.599 --> 00:34:32.019 said to his 00:34:32.019 --> 00:34:32.239 servant, 00:34:32.579 --> 00:34:33.460 go out quickly 00:34:33.460 --> 00:34:34.199 to the streets 00:34:34.199 --> 00:34:35.079 and lanes of 00:34:35.079 --> 00:34:35.920 the city and 00:34:35.920 --> 00:34:36.559 bring in the 00:34:36.559 --> 00:34:37.119 poor and 00:34:37.119 --> 00:34:38.039 crippled and 00:34:38.039 --> 00:34:39.059 blind and 00:34:39.059 --> 00:34:39.440 lame. 00:34:40.079 --> 00:34:41.380 The first round 00:34:41.380 --> 00:34:42.059 of guests, 00:34:42.440 --> 00:34:43.720 the genteel 00:34:43.720 --> 00:34:44.039 people, 00:34:44.140 --> 00:34:44.579 the noble 00:34:44.579 --> 00:34:45.079 people, 00:34:45.180 --> 00:34:45.660 the prominent 00:34:45.660 --> 00:34:45.920 people, 00:34:45.960 --> 00:34:46.380 they've all 00:34:46.380 --> 00:34:47.180 received their 00:34:47.180 --> 00:34:47.680 invitations, 00:34:47.860 --> 00:34:48.500 have declined 00:34:48.500 --> 00:34:48.960 to come. 00:34:49.680 --> 00:34:50.420 Despite the 00:34:50.420 --> 00:34:50.960 fact that they 00:34:50.960 --> 00:34:51.579 had previously 00:34:51.579 --> 00:34:52.180 indicated they 00:34:52.180 --> 00:34:52.579 were coming. 00:34:53.280 --> 00:34:53.599 And so the 00:34:53.599 --> 00:34:54.220 host sends a 00:34:54.220 --> 00:34:54.760 servant to the 00:34:54.760 --> 00:34:55.880 streets and 00:34:55.880 --> 00:34:57.059 lanes of the 00:34:57.059 --> 00:34:57.280 city. 00:34:57.360 --> 00:34:57.820 So now he's 00:34:57.820 --> 00:34:58.180 going, 00:34:58.480 --> 00:34:59.260 inviting people, 00:34:59.599 --> 00:35:00.760 not just from 00:35:00.760 --> 00:35:01.579 their homes, 00:35:01.960 --> 00:35:02.680 he's going out 00:35:02.680 --> 00:35:03.280 into the city 00:35:03.280 --> 00:35:04.019 streets and to 00:35:04.019 --> 00:35:05.000 the back alleys, 00:35:05.559 --> 00:35:06.300 to the shady 00:35:06.300 --> 00:35:06.860 places. 00:35:09.599 --> 00:35:10.780 The riffraff of 00:35:10.780 --> 00:35:11.140 the city. 00:35:11.820 --> 00:35:12.400 The poor, 00:35:12.540 --> 00:35:12.980 the crippled, 00:35:13.060 --> 00:35:13.400 the blind, 00:35:13.480 --> 00:35:13.820 the lame. 00:35:14.720 --> 00:35:15.340 And this is a 00:35:15.340 --> 00:35:16.040 radical statement 00:35:16.040 --> 00:35:16.620 that Jesus is 00:35:16.620 --> 00:35:17.280 making that 00:35:17.280 --> 00:35:18.540 deviates from 00:35:18.540 --> 00:35:19.640 this traditional 00:35:19.640 --> 00:35:20.560 Jewish teaching 00:35:20.560 --> 00:35:21.740 during his time. 00:35:22.180 --> 00:35:22.660 For example, 00:35:22.780 --> 00:35:23.800 a Jewish sect 00:35:23.800 --> 00:35:24.620 at Qumran, 00:35:25.060 --> 00:35:25.620 they taught 00:35:25.620 --> 00:35:26.519 that the 00:35:26.519 --> 00:35:27.460 Messiah will 00:35:27.460 --> 00:35:28.040 bless the 00:35:28.040 --> 00:35:28.500 righteous who 00:35:28.500 --> 00:35:29.240 participate in 00:35:29.240 --> 00:35:29.940 God's great 00:35:29.940 --> 00:35:30.940 banquet, but 00:35:30.940 --> 00:35:31.860 only after 00:35:31.860 --> 00:35:33.000 excluding the 00:35:33.000 --> 00:35:34.780 Gentiles, the 00:35:34.780 --> 00:35:35.800 ritually unclean, 00:35:36.600 --> 00:35:36.980 and the 00:35:36.980 --> 00:35:37.840 physically disabled. 00:35:37.840 --> 00:35:40.740 But Jesus 00:35:40.740 --> 00:35:41.280 here says, 00:35:41.380 --> 00:35:41.660 those who 00:35:41.660 --> 00:35:42.160 come to the 00:35:42.160 --> 00:35:42.600 kingdom, but 00:35:42.600 --> 00:35:43.579 the poor, the 00:35:43.579 --> 00:35:44.240 crippled, the 00:35:44.240 --> 00:35:45.079 blind, the 00:35:45.079 --> 00:35:45.380 lame. 00:35:46.180 --> 00:35:46.780 And this is 00:35:46.780 --> 00:35:47.260 not merely 00:35:47.260 --> 00:35:47.800 a reference to 00:35:47.800 --> 00:35:48.380 the physically 00:35:48.380 --> 00:35:49.420 poor, crippled, 00:35:49.780 --> 00:35:50.220 blind, and 00:35:50.220 --> 00:35:50.660 lame, but to 00:35:50.660 --> 00:35:51.120 a general 00:35:51.120 --> 00:35:51.800 category of 00:35:51.800 --> 00:35:52.220 people who 00:35:52.220 --> 00:35:52.559 are of 00:35:52.559 --> 00:35:53.340 humble estate. 00:35:53.980 --> 00:35:54.320 At the 00:35:54.320 --> 00:35:54.780 beginning of 00:35:54.780 --> 00:35:55.280 his ministry 00:35:55.280 --> 00:35:55.900 in Luke 4, 00:35:56.019 --> 00:35:56.700 Jesus cited 00:35:56.700 --> 00:35:57.680 several passages 00:35:57.680 --> 00:35:58.860 from prophet 00:35:58.860 --> 00:35:59.780 Isaiah to 00:35:59.780 --> 00:36:00.380 declare that 00:36:00.380 --> 00:36:01.019 his mission 00:36:01.019 --> 00:36:02.039 on earth is 00:36:02.039 --> 00:36:03.019 to proclaim 00:36:03.019 --> 00:36:04.559 good news to 00:36:04.559 --> 00:36:05.079 the poor, 00:36:05.079 --> 00:36:06.360 to proclaim 00:36:06.360 --> 00:36:07.440 liberty to 00:36:07.440 --> 00:36:08.179 the captives, 00:36:08.380 --> 00:36:09.219 and recovering 00:36:09.219 --> 00:36:10.039 of sight to 00:36:10.039 --> 00:36:10.840 the blind, to 00:36:10.840 --> 00:36:11.279 set at 00:36:11.279 --> 00:36:11.920 liberty those 00:36:11.920 --> 00:36:12.119 who are 00:36:12.119 --> 00:36:12.799 oppressed, to 00:36:12.799 --> 00:36:13.340 proclaim the 00:36:13.340 --> 00:36:13.779 ear of the 00:36:13.779 --> 00:36:14.340 Lord's favor. 00:36:14.440 --> 00:36:15.440 That's Jesus' 00:36:15.819 --> 00:36:16.519 mission. 00:36:17.039 --> 00:36:17.639 And throughout 00:36:17.639 --> 00:36:19.319 the gospel of 00:36:19.319 --> 00:36:20.380 Luke, Jesus 00:36:20.380 --> 00:36:21.279 has ministered 00:36:21.279 --> 00:36:22.059 to several 00:36:22.059 --> 00:36:23.000 demoniacs, 00:36:23.380 --> 00:36:23.960 demon-possessed 00:36:23.960 --> 00:36:25.199 people, a 00:36:25.199 --> 00:36:25.840 woman with a 00:36:25.840 --> 00:36:26.519 high fever, 00:36:26.739 --> 00:36:28.099 about to die, 00:36:28.539 --> 00:36:29.719 a leper, a 00:36:29.719 --> 00:36:30.920 paralytic, a 00:36:30.920 --> 00:36:31.519 man with a 00:36:31.519 --> 00:36:32.239 withered hand, 00:36:32.360 --> 00:36:33.299 a notoriously 00:36:33.299 --> 00:36:34.480 sinful woman that 00:36:34.480 --> 00:36:35.360 people refused to 00:36:35.360 --> 00:36:36.099 associate with, 00:36:36.380 --> 00:36:37.000 a woman with 00:36:37.000 --> 00:36:37.820 the discharge of 00:36:37.820 --> 00:36:38.500 blood that made 00:36:38.500 --> 00:36:39.079 her ceremony 00:36:39.079 --> 00:36:40.519 unclean, a 00:36:40.519 --> 00:36:41.559 dead girl that 00:36:41.559 --> 00:36:42.119 had raised to 00:36:42.119 --> 00:36:42.840 life, he 00:36:42.840 --> 00:36:43.460 ministered to a 00:36:43.460 --> 00:36:44.440 mute man, a 00:36:44.440 --> 00:36:45.400 woman who was 00:36:45.400 --> 00:36:46.219 disabled and was 00:36:46.219 --> 00:36:47.460 a hunchback, and 00:36:47.460 --> 00:36:48.320 finally here, a 00:36:48.320 --> 00:36:49.460 man with dropsy. 00:36:49.820 --> 00:36:51.400 All people who 00:36:51.400 --> 00:36:52.500 were rejected by 00:36:52.500 --> 00:36:53.820 society, people 00:36:53.820 --> 00:36:54.619 whose physical 00:36:54.619 --> 00:36:55.900 infirmities were 00:36:55.900 --> 00:36:56.519 viewed as 00:36:56.519 --> 00:36:57.420 evidence of 00:36:57.420 --> 00:36:58.420 God's rejection, 00:36:58.840 --> 00:36:59.639 of spiritual 00:36:59.639 --> 00:37:00.579 defilement, 00:37:01.219 --> 00:37:02.039 sinners who are 00:37:02.039 --> 00:37:03.440 unworthy of the 00:37:03.440 --> 00:37:04.219 kingdom of God, 00:37:04.219 --> 00:37:05.119 and that's 00:37:05.119 --> 00:37:06.959 exactly Jesus' 00:37:07.179 --> 00:37:07.500 point. 00:37:09.439 --> 00:37:10.919 Only sinners who 00:37:10.919 --> 00:37:12.259 humbly acknowledge 00:37:12.259 --> 00:37:13.159 their unworthiness 00:37:13.159 --> 00:37:14.500 will be seated at 00:37:14.500 --> 00:37:15.899 God's banqueting 00:37:15.899 --> 00:37:16.759 table. 00:37:17.980 --> 00:37:19.039 Jesus said early in 00:37:19.039 --> 00:37:19.879 Luke 5 to the 00:37:19.879 --> 00:37:20.619 Pharisees who 00:37:20.619 --> 00:37:21.980 criticized him for 00:37:21.980 --> 00:37:23.159 associating with 00:37:23.159 --> 00:37:24.079 these sinners, he 00:37:24.079 --> 00:37:25.299 told them, those who 00:37:25.299 --> 00:37:26.559 are well have no 00:37:26.559 --> 00:37:27.439 need of a physician, 00:37:27.779 --> 00:37:28.739 but those who are 00:37:28.739 --> 00:37:29.259 sick. 00:37:30.539 --> 00:37:31.899 I have not come to 00:37:31.899 --> 00:37:32.859 call the righteous, 00:37:32.860 --> 00:37:34.099 sinners, but sinners 00:37:34.099 --> 00:37:35.579 to repentance. 00:37:39.260 --> 00:37:40.200 Ironically, it's the 00:37:40.200 --> 00:37:41.640 Pharisees who think 00:37:41.640 --> 00:37:42.280 that they have no 00:37:42.280 --> 00:37:43.059 need of a physician, 00:37:43.640 --> 00:37:44.920 who think that they 00:37:44.920 --> 00:37:46.960 are righteous, who 00:37:46.960 --> 00:37:47.820 see themselves as 00:37:47.820 --> 00:37:49.160 spiritual superiors. 00:37:49.980 --> 00:37:51.539 They are those who 00:37:51.539 --> 00:37:52.780 are unworthy of 00:37:52.780 --> 00:37:53.820 acceptance by God, 00:37:54.079 --> 00:37:55.519 and they find 00:37:55.519 --> 00:37:56.260 themselves on the 00:37:56.260 --> 00:37:57.500 outside looking in at 00:37:57.500 --> 00:37:57.920 the banquet. 00:37:57.920 --> 00:38:02.039 have you come to 00:38:02.039 --> 00:38:03.159 church today as a 00:38:03.159 --> 00:38:04.180 self-righteous person? 00:38:08.980 --> 00:38:10.000 Do you think that 00:38:10.000 --> 00:38:11.320 you have earned entry 00:38:11.320 --> 00:38:12.200 to the kingdom of 00:38:12.200 --> 00:38:12.519 God? 00:38:12.980 --> 00:38:13.720 Do you imagine 00:38:13.720 --> 00:38:14.740 yourself worthy of 00:38:14.740 --> 00:38:15.000 heaven? 00:38:15.139 --> 00:38:16.720 If you do, you will 00:38:16.720 --> 00:38:18.840 miss Jesus' invitation 00:38:18.840 --> 00:38:19.740 to the kingdom of 00:38:19.740 --> 00:38:20.039 God. 00:38:20.380 --> 00:38:21.139 Because those who 00:38:21.139 --> 00:38:22.119 get to sit at the 00:38:22.119 --> 00:38:23.659 banquet are sinners 00:38:23.659 --> 00:38:24.700 who acknowledge their 00:38:24.700 --> 00:38:25.440 unworthiness. 00:38:25.440 --> 00:38:28.980 this trend continues 00:38:28.980 --> 00:38:30.019 with the third round 00:38:30.019 --> 00:38:31.059 of invitations in 00:38:31.059 --> 00:38:32.500 verses 22 to 24. 00:38:33.440 --> 00:38:34.220 And the servant 00:38:34.220 --> 00:38:34.599 said, 00:38:35.019 --> 00:38:36.480 Sir, what you 00:38:36.480 --> 00:38:37.519 have commanded has 00:38:37.519 --> 00:38:38.639 been done, and 00:38:38.639 --> 00:38:39.559 still there is room. 00:38:40.340 --> 00:38:40.980 And the master 00:38:40.980 --> 00:38:41.860 said to the servant, 00:38:42.000 --> 00:38:42.720 Go out to the 00:38:42.720 --> 00:38:44.139 highways and hedges 00:38:44.139 --> 00:38:45.340 and compel people to 00:38:45.340 --> 00:38:46.420 come in, that my 00:38:46.420 --> 00:38:47.579 house may be filled. 00:38:48.579 --> 00:38:49.300 For I tell you, 00:38:49.360 --> 00:38:50.139 none of those men 00:38:50.139 --> 00:38:50.840 who are invited 00:38:50.840 --> 00:38:52.039 shall taste my 00:38:52.039 --> 00:38:52.440 banquet. 00:38:52.440 --> 00:38:55.900 I love how this 00:38:55.900 --> 00:38:56.880 reveals God's 00:38:56.880 --> 00:38:57.159 heart. 00:38:57.280 --> 00:38:57.920 Sometimes people 00:38:57.920 --> 00:38:58.940 imagine that God's 00:38:58.940 --> 00:39:00.440 this exclusivist, 00:39:01.300 --> 00:39:02.519 stingy person. 00:39:03.240 --> 00:39:04.019 Let's see how 00:39:04.019 --> 00:39:04.880 high, like how 00:39:04.880 --> 00:39:06.139 difficult I can make 00:39:06.139 --> 00:39:06.599 it for these people 00:39:06.599 --> 00:39:06.920 to come in. 00:39:07.079 --> 00:39:08.159 God's heart is to 00:39:08.159 --> 00:39:09.200 fill his house. 00:39:10.679 --> 00:39:11.480 He says there's not 00:39:11.480 --> 00:39:12.159 enough people. 00:39:12.480 --> 00:39:13.460 He wants to fill the 00:39:13.460 --> 00:39:13.820 house. 00:39:14.519 --> 00:39:15.420 His arms are open. 00:39:15.500 --> 00:39:16.119 He wants you to 00:39:16.119 --> 00:39:16.519 come. 00:39:16.519 --> 00:39:16.579 Come. 00:39:16.579 --> 00:39:23.400 After having gone 00:39:23.400 --> 00:39:23.900 through the city 00:39:23.900 --> 00:39:24.679 streets and back 00:39:24.679 --> 00:39:25.480 alleys, the servant 00:39:25.480 --> 00:39:26.119 is now ordered to 00:39:26.119 --> 00:39:26.599 go out to the 00:39:26.599 --> 00:39:27.400 highways and the 00:39:27.400 --> 00:39:27.840 hedges. 00:39:28.059 --> 00:39:28.799 He's now going 00:39:28.799 --> 00:39:29.960 outside the city 00:39:29.960 --> 00:39:31.539 walls, even to the 00:39:31.539 --> 00:39:32.199 highways, and 00:39:32.199 --> 00:39:33.400 bringing in the 00:39:33.400 --> 00:39:34.860 homeless beggars who 00:39:34.860 --> 00:39:36.119 frequent the hedges 00:39:36.119 --> 00:39:37.380 and fences around 00:39:37.380 --> 00:39:38.299 vineyards and houses 00:39:38.299 --> 00:39:39.400 located outside the 00:39:39.400 --> 00:39:39.619 city. 00:39:40.819 --> 00:39:41.900 This is probably a 00:39:41.900 --> 00:39:42.759 reference to inviting 00:39:42.759 --> 00:39:43.980 to the kingdom, not 00:39:43.980 --> 00:39:45.179 just the needy people 00:39:45.179 --> 00:39:46.480 among the Jews, but 00:39:46.480 --> 00:39:47.699 also the Gentiles. 00:39:50.679 --> 00:39:51.579 And the master 00:39:51.579 --> 00:39:53.460 says, compel people 00:39:53.460 --> 00:39:54.760 to come in, that my 00:39:54.760 --> 00:39:56.559 house may be filled. 00:39:57.260 --> 00:39:57.880 And the word 00:39:57.880 --> 00:39:58.780 compel does not 00:39:58.780 --> 00:39:59.920 refer to kind of 00:39:59.920 --> 00:40:01.139 angrily forcing 00:40:01.139 --> 00:40:01.940 people to come 00:40:01.940 --> 00:40:03.240 against their will. 00:40:05.119 --> 00:40:06.119 It's referring to 00:40:06.119 --> 00:40:06.820 the fact that people 00:40:06.820 --> 00:40:07.840 who are invited to 00:40:07.840 --> 00:40:08.800 banquets like this 00:40:08.800 --> 00:40:10.320 unexpectedly are, 00:40:10.679 --> 00:40:11.260 you know, and they 00:40:11.260 --> 00:40:12.159 recognize their 00:40:12.159 --> 00:40:14.659 unworthiness and 00:40:14.659 --> 00:40:15.960 they're hesitant to 00:40:15.960 --> 00:40:16.240 go. 00:40:16.480 --> 00:40:20.219 And this reflects an 00:40:20.219 --> 00:40:20.860 ancient Near 00:40:20.860 --> 00:40:21.579 Eastern practice 00:40:21.579 --> 00:40:23.199 when a resolute 00:40:23.199 --> 00:40:25.900 host insists, I 00:40:25.900 --> 00:40:28.460 insist you come, and 00:40:28.460 --> 00:40:30.019 takes the reluctant 00:40:30.019 --> 00:40:31.480 and hesitant guest by 00:40:31.480 --> 00:40:32.840 the hand, by his 00:40:32.840 --> 00:40:33.719 hand, and takes 00:40:33.719 --> 00:40:36.039 him, shows him the 00:40:36.039 --> 00:40:36.679 way and takes him to 00:40:36.679 --> 00:40:37.139 the banquet. 00:40:37.539 --> 00:40:39.639 Compel them to come. 00:40:40.139 --> 00:40:41.579 Tell them the host 00:40:41.579 --> 00:40:41.699 insists. 00:40:41.699 --> 00:40:42.659 God insists. 00:40:43.859 --> 00:40:44.819 Tell them that they 00:40:44.819 --> 00:40:45.599 are invited. 00:40:48.639 --> 00:40:49.779 You can imagine, it's 00:40:49.779 --> 00:40:50.679 the gesture of a host 00:40:50.679 --> 00:40:51.799 that refuses to take a 00:40:51.799 --> 00:40:52.980 polite no as an answer. 00:40:53.719 --> 00:40:54.599 And it's a wonderful 00:40:54.599 --> 00:40:55.659 picture of God's 00:40:55.659 --> 00:40:57.439 gracious and generous 00:40:57.439 --> 00:40:58.980 hospitality towards 00:40:58.980 --> 00:41:00.559 sinners like us. 00:41:00.559 --> 00:41:01.559 God's grace. 00:41:01.559 --> 00:41:05.460 And this is the most 00:41:05.460 --> 00:41:06.659 important point to take 00:41:06.659 --> 00:41:07.639 away from this entire 00:41:07.639 --> 00:41:08.139 passage. 00:41:08.460 --> 00:41:09.759 All of humanity has 00:41:09.759 --> 00:41:10.739 sinned against God. 00:41:11.739 --> 00:41:13.000 We have all lived for 00:41:13.000 --> 00:41:14.500 our own purposes and 00:41:14.500 --> 00:41:15.779 priorities rather than 00:41:15.779 --> 00:41:16.699 seeking God and 00:41:16.699 --> 00:41:17.440 glorifying Him. 00:41:17.679 --> 00:41:19.000 We have all violated 00:41:19.000 --> 00:41:20.420 His laws, some more 00:41:20.420 --> 00:41:21.579 egregiously than others, 00:41:21.840 --> 00:41:23.139 but we have all violated 00:41:23.139 --> 00:41:23.920 His laws and we are 00:41:23.920 --> 00:41:25.820 disqualified from entry. 00:41:25.820 --> 00:41:29.220 But God sent His only 00:41:29.220 --> 00:41:31.380 Son, Jesus Christ, to 00:41:31.380 --> 00:41:32.940 preach good news to the 00:41:32.940 --> 00:41:33.200 poor. 00:41:34.059 --> 00:41:35.840 He sent Jesus to die on 00:41:35.840 --> 00:41:38.160 the cross for our sins. 00:41:38.700 --> 00:41:39.780 We are the ones that 00:41:39.780 --> 00:41:40.519 should have been the 00:41:40.519 --> 00:41:41.340 castoffs. 00:41:43.440 --> 00:41:45.280 Barred, bounced from the 00:41:45.280 --> 00:41:48.059 party with no access, but 00:41:48.059 --> 00:41:50.420 Jesus instead in our place 00:41:50.420 --> 00:41:52.600 was cast off and died on 00:41:52.600 --> 00:41:53.160 the cross. 00:41:53.159 --> 00:41:56.440 So that by believing in 00:41:56.440 --> 00:41:57.500 Him, we might be forgiven 00:41:57.500 --> 00:41:59.139 of our sins and we might 00:41:59.139 --> 00:42:00.139 be received into the 00:42:00.139 --> 00:42:00.940 kingdom of God. 00:42:03.359 --> 00:42:05.960 And so Jesus comes and 00:42:05.960 --> 00:42:07.119 He sends His followers. 00:42:07.659 --> 00:42:08.699 He searches the city 00:42:08.699 --> 00:42:10.139 streets and the back 00:42:10.139 --> 00:42:10.759 alleys. 00:42:11.239 --> 00:42:13.359 He roams the highways and 00:42:13.359 --> 00:42:14.359 the hedges on the 00:42:14.359 --> 00:42:15.359 escorts of the city. 00:42:15.759 --> 00:42:17.579 He looks for sinners 00:42:17.579 --> 00:42:19.059 unworthy of acceptance. 00:42:19.659 --> 00:42:20.940 The poor, the crippled, 00:42:21.019 --> 00:42:22.659 the blind and lame, the 00:42:22.659 --> 00:42:27.339 Gentile heathens to 00:42:27.339 --> 00:42:28.379 compel them to come. 00:42:30.799 --> 00:42:32.119 It doesn't matter what 00:42:32.119 --> 00:42:33.559 kind of sinner you are. 00:42:37.440 --> 00:42:38.839 It doesn't matter how 00:42:38.839 --> 00:42:40.539 sordid your history is. 00:42:41.039 --> 00:42:42.399 You might look upon your 00:42:42.399 --> 00:42:43.920 own sinful rags and then 00:42:43.920 --> 00:42:45.559 shake your head mournfully 00:42:45.559 --> 00:42:46.139 at Jesus. 00:42:46.639 --> 00:42:48.199 Sir, I can't go like this. 00:42:48.199 --> 00:42:52.899 Sir, that's not my part. 00:42:53.879 --> 00:42:55.199 It's not for people like 00:42:55.199 --> 00:42:55.460 me. 00:42:57.759 --> 00:42:59.960 You might say, Lord, I'm 00:42:59.960 --> 00:43:01.259 blinded by my sin. 00:43:01.559 --> 00:43:03.339 I'm crippled by my sins. 00:43:04.659 --> 00:43:05.739 I'm poor. 00:43:05.739 --> 00:43:09.739 But Jesus, the servant of 00:43:09.739 --> 00:43:10.959 the Lord, looks on you. 00:43:11.359 --> 00:43:12.619 He looks you in the eye and 00:43:12.619 --> 00:43:14.759 He says, I have been sent 00:43:14.759 --> 00:43:15.539 by the King. 00:43:17.339 --> 00:43:19.219 I have made a way. 00:43:19.899 --> 00:43:22.279 If only you are willing to 00:43:22.279 --> 00:43:24.279 leave your life of sin, then 00:43:24.279 --> 00:43:25.639 I will take you by the hand, 00:43:26.119 --> 00:43:27.259 lead you into the back of it 00:43:27.260 --> 00:43:27.660 God. 00:43:39.360 --> 00:43:40.980 A poet, English poet from 00:43:40.980 --> 00:43:42.280 the 17th century puts it 00:43:42.280 --> 00:43:42.660 this way. 00:43:45.260 --> 00:43:47.840 Humble we must be if to 00:43:47.840 --> 00:43:48.600 heaven we go. 00:43:49.900 --> 00:43:52.160 High is the roof there, but 00:43:52.160 --> 00:43:53.780 the gate is low. 00:43:57.260 --> 00:43:59.220 Will you humble yourself 00:43:59.220 --> 00:44:03.200 before God and receive 00:44:03.200 --> 00:44:04.200 His lavish grace?