Who Is At Our Banquet?
Have you ever been to a banquet? The banquets that Jesus describes in His parables is not like that of the world. The upper status guests to these banquets refuse to come (Matthew 22:5-6, Luke 14:18-20). This was a serious cultural offense and merited the harsh response indicated by Jesus in these parables (Matthew 22:7, Luke 14:24). The master of the feast invites “the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind” (Luke 14:13). The servants are instructed to “Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled,” (Luke 14:23) and “Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid…” (Matthew 22:9). This banquet is a place where all are considered of equal value.
The faithful of no rank other than Child of God will be there.
Peter declared, “Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him” (Acts 10:34-35). James wrote, “My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons” and “But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors” (James 2:1,9). In the banquet hall of heaven, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). The banquet hall of heaven is a place of equality where everyone respects one another mutually, not for their status, class, or accomplishments, but simply for being people created in the image of God and redeemed by His Son. Do we have that respect for the people living around us today? Do we trust God to change our friends and family? God bless you and I love you.