Two feasts

Thursday, May 6, 2021

Two feasts

He (Jesus) then addressed a parable to the guests, seeing that they were choosing the best seats. Luke 14: 7

But all (the guests) without exception apologized. The first said to him : I bought a field and I have to go and see it, excuse me, please... Luke 14:18

Invited to eat with a Pharisee, Jesus observes the guests. Their attention is drawn to their eagerness to capture the places of honor. There he discerns this flaw of the man who needs to be important, not only in his own eyes, but also in front of others, by being publicly recognized and honored. This vanity of appearing important is already denounced by a proverb (Proverbs 25: 6,7). The Creator of the worlds, God manifested in the flesh, he annihilated himself to the point of taking a human body to serve, die and save his creature. As a men, Jesus stooped down to choose the last place.

Nothing is more opposed to the character of the Lord on earth than pride and vanity. Kind and humble of heart (Matthew 11:29), he invites us to imitate him by warning us : Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted (v. 11).

The Lord continues his teaching with the parable of the great dinner. He identifies with this man who organizes a great reception and invites many people : it is the feast of grace, it is the call to receive the gift of God. But while many people flock to an important Pharisee, many refuse to sit at the table of Jesus who offers salvation. All excuses are good : material goods, profession, occupation or business that takes precedence over the invitation of grace. Even the circumstances of life, seemingly the most legitimate, can be a pretext for refusing God's call and rejecting Jesus as Savior and Lord. The master will still fill his house with the redeemed who accept his invitation ; but those who refuse it will be lost eternally. Do you despise the riches of his goodness, his patience and his long support, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance ? (Romans 2: 4).

Two feasts, two teachings for men.

Source (Pleasing the Lord)