The Father's Menu

The Father's Menu

Apostle Dr. Richard Udoh

Saturday, August 10, 2024

THE GREAT FEAST

Jesus is calling us to invite the world to His great feast, for nothing in this world compares to the feast of the Lord. In the parable found in Luke 14:15-24, certain people gave flimsy excuses, much like many believers do today, and this provoked the master's anger. Jesus is displeased when we offer trivial excuses to stay away from His Word. There is nothing in this world more important than His Word, more important than the assembly of believers—nothing! It’s crucial that we do not cultivate the habit of making excuses when it comes to prioritizing the things of God.

Jesus wants His house to be full. It is crucial that we constantly invite people to church; the church of God must be filled with those seeking Him. Our mission is to reach out to everyone, regardless of their status or background, so that the house of the Lord overflows with those who hunger for His presence. Luke 14:21-23 “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. 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.

The word “to compel” in the Greek is “Anagkazo.” It means “to necessitate, to drive, and to constrain by all means such as force, threats, persuasion, and entreaties.” This indicates that the Lord expects us to use any of these strategies to make His house full. He wants us to drive some people to church, to force others, and to persuade yet others to come. One way or another, this power of compulsion must be exhibited. The Lord’s desire is that His house be filled, and it is our responsibility to ensure that everyone is reached, using whatever means necessary to bring them into His presence.

Those who ignored the invitation to the banquet chose their own punishment—they missed out. The master respects their choice by making it permanent: they would not “taste of my banquet.” In the same way, God’s judgment on those who choose to reject Christ will confirm their choice, and they will never taste the joys of heaven. As followers of Christ, we are called to be active in evangelism, reaching out to people in all walks of life, and compelling them to come to Jesus.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your heart for the lost and for the privilege of being Your servant. Help me to go out into the highways and hedges of life, reaching out to those who are far from You. Give me the boldness and the compassion to compel them to come into Your house, that they may experience Your love and grace. Let my life be a beacon of light that draws others to You. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Further Reading:

Luke 14:16-24 “Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.  And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. 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. 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.”

2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

Read through the bible in 1 year: Ezra 10:1-44 1 Corinthians 6:1-20 Psalm 31:9-18 Proverbs 21:3

Read through the bible in 2 years: 1 Chr 3-4 & Ps 36