Today’s passage falls right between two teachings by Jesus and it binds them together…just like the meat between two slices of bread, or the filling between two Oreo cookies (drawing on the banquet motif). The opening verse today points back to Jesus’ teaching on humility in vv. 7-14 and the posture of one’s heart. The theme of this parable sets the table (pun intended) for His teaching on the cost of discipleship.

We pray that meditation on this passage will convict us to prioritizing discipleship. Nothing else in this world, nothing, is as important.

[Luke 14.15-24]

15 When one of those who reclined at table with him heard these things, he said to him, “Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!” 16 But he said to him, “A man once gave a great banquet and invited many. 17 And at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ 18 But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please have me excused.’ 19 And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please have me excused.’ 20 And another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’ 21 So the servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.’ 22 And the servant said, ‘Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.’ 23 And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. 24 For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.’”

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ What are the “these things” in v. 15 that the disciple was responding to with his exclamation? Was the disciple’s exclamation demonstrating understanding of the “these things”?

+ Who does the man hosting the banquet represent?

+ What does the banquet represent?

+ Jesus identifies three groups invited to the banquet: the many [v. 16]; the poor, crippled, blind, and lame [v. 21]; and strangers passing by [v. 23]. Who might Jesus be describing by each of these groups in His parable?

+ What is the heart posture of each of these three groups? What is their response to the invitation to the banquet?

+ What is the significance of the man’s decree (or judgment) in v. 24 and to which group does it apply?

+ How does this parable relate to the teaching of Jesus that Luke recorded in the following verses [vv. 26-33] or to Jesus’ teaching recorded in Matthew 7.13-14, 21-23? How does this parable relate to the one Jesus tells one chapter later in Luke 15.11-32?

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ To which of the three groups Jesus described do I belong?

+ In light of being identified in that group and what Jesus had to say about each of these groups, what do I need to do?

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?

+ My friends and family belong to one of these three groups. Is there someone the Spirit has put on my heart that needs to be guided from one of the particular groups and invited to the banquet?