Jesus is telling the story of a great banquet while He was at the home of a Pharisee on a Sabbath Day. As Jesus noticed how people were jostling for important seating, He heals a man right in front of them and then begins to tell them two parables. The first was about humility as we walk upon this earth. The second was concerned with who is invited to our dinner or banquet. It is this second parable or story we are interested in.
We read in Luke 14:23: “And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled.’” Again, context is king here as we read this one verse. Verses 12 and 13 give us insight as to what Jesus meant by “compel” in verse 23. Jesus was telling His host and those listening that when you invite people over for a banquet, do not invite people who can repay you, rather invite those who cannot repay you. From there Jesus expands upon the parable to how God came to His own and was seemingly rejected. He then broadens the search for kingdom people among the Gentiles.
Before this rich man’s servant summons those not initially invited, he is sent to those with formal invitations. They come up with lame excuses as to why they cannot attend; this is reported to the master. He then gives orders to the corners of the city saying “bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.” This is done and it is reported that there is still room. Finally, verse 23 is presented. The master of the house is making sure that the room is filled and that those invited have no place to sit– this may be to make them jealous of those invited and there is no room for them. This is similar to Romans chapter 11.
So what does Jesus mean by “compel” in verse 23? First it does not mean to force anyone physically into believing in Jesus. Nowhere in the New Testament does it communicate that followers of Jesus are to force people into believing in who Jesus is and what He has done for them. Christians, or followers of Jesus, cannot convert anyone to God; it is solely a work of God in the heart of men and women around the world.
However, this word does have “force” in it. Thayer’s Greek Dictionary of the New Testament shows us that some of the meaning behind this word is “necessitate, compel, drive to, constrain: 1a – by force, threats, etc, 1b – by permission, entreaties, etc, 1c – by other means.” Note the context of how the term is used is extremely important, and again we see the term “invite” used multiple times or derivatives of the term. We need to dig deeper to find out what Jesus is attempting to teach; though it may be obvious to some, it is not to all.
After all have been invited there is a passion that rises in the master. His desire is that anyone who would come, have a place at the table of a very rich man. It does not matter what their standing in life is; it is the deep, deep white hot intensity of this man to have people join him for a “great banquet.” It was not to be an average meal, but one that would far surpass any other meal that a person could be given or purchase. The entire bill would be placed in the master’s hand and none of the guests invited would have to pay, but this seemed to backfire as the invitations were sent out.
Jesus’ own people sadly rejected Him for a short time for there is still a remnant in or of Israel. This was only to allow Gentiles to also be included in the eternal plan of God. Even though His own rejected Him, it did not automatically presuppose that all Gentiles would flock to come into the Kingdom of Jesus. God’s promise to Abraham was to all nations and that included Gentile nations.
Those of us who have been saved from the wrath of God by the grace of God, are directed by Jesus Himself to “make disciples of all nations.” We do this by “baptizing” and “teaching” not by any other means. However, there is intensity behind it, because the days for people are limited. No one is guaranteed tomorrow or even the rest of the day. Since our days are limited and Jesus is definitely coming again, His followers are to tell with great passion about the “Author and Finisher” of their faith. This is not physical but with words from the Scriptures that burn in the heart of each of those that believe in Jesus.
If we love God with our entire being then we will love what He loves. He loves the world and sent His only Son into the world that we may be saved through Him. Then, if we truly love God, we will also obey Him when He tells us to “make disciples” and to “compel” people to come to the great banquet that God has set for all nations.
Reader, I compel you to come and follow Jesus as Scripture describes. I urgently invite you to come to Jesus and believe on His name and receive Him as your Savior. Do not put off what you can do today; for you never know what this day or the next day holds. Come to Him now!
If you would like to read more about this click on the following link: https://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/0227.htm
Thanks to our Guest Contributor:
Pastor Ray Peters
Harvest Alliance Church
