R.S.V.P.
Jesus told the story of a master who decided to throw a party. A banquet. He sent invitations to tons of people, but as the ‘regrets’ started to come in, he got mad. He saw flimsy excuses and made-up reasons not to come. “I won’t be able to make it . . . I’ve just bought some land and I’ve got to go see it”. What? You bought land sight-unseen? Come on, man! Who are you kidding? “I’ve bought some new animals for my farm,” “I’m newly married,” one by one, the excuses rolled in.
Feeling unappreciated by the people he’d invited, he told his servants “go out into the country lanes and out behind the hedges and urge anyone you find to come, so that the house will be full.”1 He had something special to give and he was going to give it.
Clearly, this master is a cool guy. He loves to hang out with people. He’s not selling tickets . . . he just wants to give people something wonderful. He knows the best parties have lots of people, and since he’s generous and accepting, he tells his servants to go invite people who will appreciate the opportunity. He tells them to ‘Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.’2
I’m betting the party turned out amazing. Spontaneous. Diverse crowd. Awesome host, committed to making everyone feel welcomed and loved.
And what about the people who made the excuses? Who missed the party?
The master wrote in his book . . . “For none of those I invited first will get even the smallest taste of what I had prepared for them.”3
He did what we might do . . . he decided they’d have no part in his celebration. Not this time, and maybe not in the future either. He might have taken them off his list. Out of his contacts folder for good. We don’t know.
In a time of prayer the other night, I wrote down these words. I believe they were from God. “Regi, I don’t want you to miss out on my banquet. Don’t be one who’s so busy . . . who’s making excuses. I want you at my feast . . . at my table!”
You’re invited too. The Master wants you at His feast . . . at His personal table. Are you too busy? Too proud? Too self-absorbed with things that are urgent but not really all that important?
NOTE: The amazing image above is from Journeys with the Messiah by Michael Belk. A former world-class fashion photographer who has fallen in love with Jesus, Michael has created a collection of stunning images to visually communicate Jesus’ life and message.He writes about this image:
“He (Jesus) has invited us to the greatest party that will ever be given…a life in Eternity with Him. Some have replied with a resounding, “Yes, I cannot wait to attend. “But, there will be many who are simply, and foolishly, too busy with their earthly lives to accept his invitation. Make sure that you have sent a R.S.V.P. to His invitation. This is a party you and your loved ones will not want to miss.”4
1 Luke 14:23-24
2 Luke 14:21c
3 Luke 14:24
4 Journeys with the Messiah – Michael Belk, pg. 54
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Responses (4)
Some believers take His message in Luke 14:25-35 as a form of discipleship on how we are to live as His in following Him on earth, sacrificing everything & everyone while they are following Him as His disciple on earth. That was not the meaning of His message.
The message in Luke 14:25-35 was expounding off of the message in Luke 14:15-24 about not making excuses from attending the Marriage Supper.
In truth, the call of discipleship is to be ready to leave the concerns of this life and every one else on this earth to attend the Marriage Supper of the Lamb above in His honour. Luke 21:34-36 repeats the warning of how life down here can be a snare when our affections should be on the things above in being ready and willing to go by His grace & by His help; Colossians 3:1-2.
I so agree Scott.
Regi, wonderful job on the blog of R.S.V.P. This is one of my favorite images because of the message it was created to depict. It is both a promise of Jesus and a warning…”The party is on! Don’t get so busy with matters of no consequence that you forget to RSVP until the gates to the party are closed.”
Thanks Michael. I want to be at the feast . . . with Him! I know you do too.