Have You RSVP'd for the Supper?

Please take your Bibles and turn to Luke 14:15. I want to share a message with you entitled, “Have You RSVP’d for the Supper?”

 

We are still with Jesus on the Sabbath and in the house of a Pharisee.  Remember that Jesus was the guest preacher at the local synagogue and had been invited to lunch after worship.

 

However, Jesus wasn’t invited because they wanted to get to know Him better.  He was invited for them to trap Him.

 

Also invited was a man who was retaining fluid and he was swollen all over.  This was due to a diseased heart or diseased kidney or diseased liver.

 

Because it was the right thing to do, Jesus healed him even on the Sabbath.  However, this did not sit well with the Pharisees because it violated their interpretation and application of the OT Law.

 

Last week, Jesus made a point about a humility and generosity by telling a parable.  His point was that followers of Christ not only do the right thing in the face of criticism, but they also demonstrate humility by considering the needs of others more important than their own.

 

Today, we are going to see and hear Jesus tell another parable.  He used these earthly stories with spiritual meanings to reveal mysteries, conceal realities, and fulfill prophecies depending on the makeup of His audience.

 

You’ve probably received an RSVP in the mail.  They typically are related to an invitation to an event.

 

RSVP is actually French and means respond if you please or please respond.  For Texans, you might get away with respond soon very pronto.

 

In other words, the host wants to know if you’re coming.  They want to know either way so that they can plan accordingly for space and or food.

 

What supper are we talking about?  It is the one here in Luke 14.  Jesus calls it a great supper as He tells another parable.

 

 

Exposition

Again, we are at a Pharisee’s house, and it seems to be the midday meal.  Jesus had someone sitting next to Him who seems to be one of His followers.

 

How do we know?  Look what he said.  Blessed or happy is the he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.

 

We haven’t seen that term in a while, but it is what chapter 13 is all about.  In this instance, it most likely is a reference to heaven.  In other words, he was saying that being saved and having a home in heaven is the decision that will make you the happiest in life.

 

In response to this man’s declaration, Jesus told the parable of the great supper.  It begins in verse 16.

A certain man was hosting a great supper and invited a lot of people.  On the actual day of the event, he sent another invitation saying, “Y’all come.” 

 

This was common practice to send two invitations.  The first would be akin to our save the date invitations.  Those are then followed up with a more formal invitation. 

 

When this man’s second invitation went out, all those who were invited made up excuses as to why they couldn’t come.  Jesus shared with us three.

 

First, his excuse was that he had to look at a piece of property he already purchased.  Why couldn’t that wait?  Wouldn’t it still be there?  Did he buy it sight unseen?

 

Second, his excuse was similar.  Could the testing not wait?  Could the oxen not be tested later?

 

Third, his excuse was that he need to stay home with his newly married wife.  More than likely, no first-century Jewish male would have said this.

 

All of these excuses were flimsy.  They were ridiculous.

 

Because the host was insulted, he told his servant to invite others.  These folks would be thankful because they were they outcasts of society.  They probably hadn’t been to a supper like this before.

 

However, there was still more room and more food for more people.  The servant was then directed to go outside of the city and invite more. 

 

In verse 24, Jesus made a shocking statement to the man from verse 15.  He indicated that the supper would be His and none of those initially invited would now be welcome.

 

 

Identification

Now, let’s try to identify some of the characters and objects in the parable.  First, the certain man hosting the great supper is God the Father.

 

The great supper is heaven and eternal life.  The first invitation was the OT prophets.  The second invitation delivered by the man’s servant was Jesus Christ. 

 

The initial invitation went to the nation of Israel and specifically their leaders such as these Pharisees.  The poor, maimed, lame, and blind were probably also Jews but the lower segment of society.

 

Those outside the city on the highways and hedges were the Gentiles.  That is us.

 

 

Invitation

The point of this parable is that God is inviting us to be saved and an eternity at His great supper in heaven.  We can accept by the invitation by accepting His Son, Jesus Christ, as Lord and Savior.  However, if you don’t accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, you are rejecting His invitation to be saved.

 

I don’t want to take this for granted, but a follower of Jesus does the right thing, demonstrates humility, and decides to receive the invitation to heaven.  It doesn’t happen automatically.  It has to be a conscious decision.

 

However, just like this parable, there will be those who reject. They will even make similar, ridiculous excuses.  Here are the most prevalent.

 

First, I’m too bad.  You don’t know what I’ve done. God can’t forgive me.

 

False.  God can and will if you confess and repent.  Jesus Christ died on the cross for murderers, adulterers, liars, thieves, and self-righteous religious hypocrites.  He did on the cross for you. 

 

Second, I’m too good or I don’t need to be saved.  False.

 

You may be relatively good compared to your neighbor.  However, you’re not perfect, and perfection is the standard.

 

You can’t be saved by authenticity, generosity, genealogy, ingenuity, or morality.  You can only be saved through Jesus Christ and inviting Him to be your Lord and Savior.

 

Third, your beliefs are no good.  Look at all of the hypocrites.

 

If men are your standard, you will never be satisfied.  If Jesus is your standard, you’ll never be disappointed.

 

Today, my invitation is for every man and every woman.  It is for every boy and every girl.  Listen to Psalm 34:8.

 

8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

 

Will you come to Him today and taste and see?  RSVP now.