Luke 14:15-24 The Passion Translation (TPT)
God has designed the journey we make in this earthly life to be preparation for the eternal life we are invited to enjoy in glory. The Father has invited every “humble” soul to a spiritual feast. Therefore, we must humble ourselves, confess our sin, repent, and connect to Christ. Only when we are humble will we welcome God’s correction in our souls to make us more like Christ.
Making excuses for not attending to our spiritual lives is a recipe for soul disaster, so wake up! Spiritual formation can only happen as we humbly submit to the work of Christ’s Spirit to bring growth and maturity; partaking of a spiritual feast. Jesus has already told us we are to hold firmly to our relationship with him because he is returning unexpectedly for his followers, “Go back to what you heard and believed at first; hold to it firmly. Repent and turn to me again. If you don’t wake up, I will come to you suddenly, as unexpected as a thief” (Rev. 3:3).
Luke 14:15-24 The Passion Translation (TPT)
15 When they heard this, one of the dinner guests said to Jesus, “Someday God will have a kingdom feast, and how happy and privileged will be the ones who get to share in that joy!”
16 Jesus replied with this parable:
“There was a man who invited many to join him in a great feast. 17 When the day for the feast arrived, the host instructed his servant to notify all the invited guests and tell them, ‘Come, for everything is now ready for you!’ 18 But one by one they all made excuses. One said, ‘I can’t come. I just bought some property and I’m obligated to go and look it over.’ 19 Another said, ‘Please accept my regrets, for I just purchased five teams of oxen and I need to make sure they can pull the plow.’ 20 Another one said, ‘I can’t come because I just got married.’
21 “The servant reported back to the host and told him of all their excuses. So the master became angry and said to his servant, ‘Go at once throughout the city and invite anyone you find—the poor, the blind, the disabled, the hurting, and the lonely—and invite them to my banquet.’
22 “When the servant returned to his master, he said, ‘Sir, I have done what you’ve asked, but there’s still room for more.’
23 “So the master told him, ‘All right. Go out again, and this time bring them all back with you. Persuade the beggars on the streets, the outcasts, even the homeless. Urgently insist that they come in and enjoy the feast so that my house will be full.’
24 “I say to you all, the one who receives an invitation to feast with me and makes excuses will never enjoy my banquet.”
Prayer: Lord, I realize the feast is before me each day; you have prepared the table with spiritual food for my good and I need to follow you. You are the Feast and my Provider. Help me to tell others while there is time. In Jesus’ name. Amen.