So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.
Luke 14:21-22
As Jesus expands His parable about this great feast, we see that the “religious” folk in Jerusalem have rejected him with lame excuses. Therefore, the disciples are sent out to everyone in Jerusalem and Judea. We see this played out during the entirety of Jesus’ earthly ministry. Those that were rejected by the religious elite gladly came to Jesus for help and healing.
But the banqueting hall is still not full!
There are a multitude of opinions about this passage but only one really makes sense for the context and the character of the kingdom of God. No matter what limitations we put on the love and mercy of God, He will always have more.
Lest any should say that God would not “let them in,” this teaching shows that God is more willing to have people enjoy His kingdom now in this world than they are willing to take part!
Jesus continues:
And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.
Luke 14:23-24
The disciples were soon called to go outside of the nation of Israel. After Jesus’ resurrection, the gospel was carried to the Jews outside of Judea and to the Gentiles all over the world.
The unbelieving Jews at Jerusalem would not take part in the gospel kingdom but that did not stop the spread of kingdom!
Even in places like Corinth, God had a people that needed to hear the good news!
For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.
Acts 18:10
We should never entertain the idea that we have seen the extent of God’s love and mercy. He has people all over the world and in our own backyard that need His peace and comfort. We should be in the highways and in the hedges finding God’s precious chosen ones and showing them what their Redeemer has done!
Lowrance Ministries 