Jesus shares a parable about a great banquet where many of the people invited make excuses so they don’t come.
How often do we miss out on something great because we hold onto an excuse?
Too often we would rather stay with what we know rather than step out in faith into the unknown.
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Messsage Notes:
In Luke 14 Jesus shares a parable about a great banquet where many of the people invited make excuses so they don’t come.
It made me wonder: how often in my life have I missed out on something great because I held onto an excuse?
Too often we would rather stay with what we know rather than step out in faith into the unknown. As a result, we miss out on so much!
That’s what was happening for the religious leaders as they continue to become enraged every time Jesus heals someone on the Sabbath.
Jesus notices how people took the seat of honor due to their pride and desire for power. He summarizes the lesson of the parable with: “For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”” (Luke 14:11 NIV)
The parable reminds us we need to humble ourselves to avoid being humiliated.
And when we throw a party, Jesus reminds us to include those who cannot repay us. He invites us to see those who are too often overlooked.
We also discover that following Jesus requires dying to self daily. Surrendering all of our past, our sins, our regrets, our shame, our bitterness, along with our hopes, our dreams, our passions, and our future.
In doing so we will be rewarded with rewards in heaven later and abundant life now.
What excuses do you too often lean on that keep you from the greater things God has for you?
