Jesus likens the Kingdom of God to a great banquet or wedding celebration.
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“A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. At the time of the banquet he sent his servant (an illusion to the son of God i.e. Jesus); to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’
“But they all began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’ “Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoked oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’ “Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’
“The servant came back and reported this. Then the owner of the house became angry ordering, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’
“‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘this has been done, but there is still room.’
“Then the master ordered, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in so that my house will be full. I tell you, not one of those who were invited (and rejected my invitation) will get a taste of my banquet.’” (end scripture quote)
I invite many people to come to church. The most common excuse for not coming is that they’re too busy. “After all, with kids sport and activities scheduled over most weekends… how could we possibly deny them the opportunity to participate. It’s character building and will hold them in good stead later in life!”
As a young man my parents sacrificed everything they had to ensure my success in the sport of competitive swimming. And yes, I did achieve limited success, but at the age of 63 my only memory of my youthful sporting endeavours is the sense of failure; for I never won gold at the Olympics, as did my swimming mates Shane Gould and Brad Cooper!
As a young boy, my parents never took me to church, not even once! Consequently, although I could swim, my life had no spiritual foundation. If only I had been taught of the Lord Jesus at an early age? With what I know now, I could’ve navigated life so much better.
I suppose it’s a matter of weighing up what’s more important in life; temporal things or eternal things? Possessing an Olympic Gold medal will not get you into God’s great banquet! Knowing and following the Lord Jesus Christ, will however!