The Strand Study Bible

LUKE 14:13

LUKE 14:20

1665

supper call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee . 13 But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind : 14 And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be 1 recompensed at the 2 resurrection of the just . P P Parable #23 - The great supper

bread in the kingdom of God. 16 Then said he unto him, A certain 3 MAN made a 4 great supper, and bade many: 17 And sent 5 his servant at supper time to say to 6 them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. 18 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. 19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. 20 And another said, I have married a

1. Fulfilled - Rev 4:2 (NT Rewards) 2. Fulfilled - Rev 4:2 (NT Resurrection) 3. or, “God the Father” - Mt 22:1-14 4. or, “marriage supper” - Rev 19:7-10 5. or, “OT prophets” 6. or, “the Jews” - Mt 10:6

[A lesson for the unsaved - Learn to value the eternal with more than mere words] (See - Mt 22:1-14)

15 And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat

14:14 Jesus promised ( And th ou shalt be blessed ) every believer future rewards ( for thou shalt be recompensed ) at the JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST ( at the resurrection of the just – II Cor 5:10-11 ) if they understand and follow three simple truths: 1. The first thing we need to understand about future rewards is that they don’t occur in the present ( And thou shalt – vs 14) Anything you look to gain here has nothing to do with what you’ll gain in the hereafter. For example: *If you look to be known for your giving here, you won’t be known for your giving in the hereafter (Mt 6:1-4) *If you look to be known for your praying here, you won’t be known for your praying in the hereafter (Mt 6:5-8) *If you look to be known for your piety here, you won’t be known for your piety in the hereafter (Mt 6:16-18) As believers, we need to quietly go about God’s business, promoting Him (not us); quietly blooming where we are planted. 2. The second thing we need to understand about future rewards is that they’re always wrapped in humility ( and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted – vs 7-11) There are nine ways to practice humility, thus assuring yourself of future rewards ( I Ki 21:29 ). 3. The third thing we need to understand about future rewards is that they’re always based on motive ( for they cannot recompense thee – vs 12-14) Why we do what we do for God (motive) means everything to God ( I Sam 15:15 , Mt 6:1 & 20:1,11 , I Cor 3:13b , II Cor 5:14 , I Jn 4:19 , Jude 1:21 and Rev 2:4 ). 14:15 One of the guests that sat at meat with Jesus tried to impress Him by making a pious remark ( Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God ). However sanctimonious words do not impress God. The Kingdom of God demands real purpose, not casual approval. The Pulpit Commentary notes:

God is inviting us to partake of a most glorious spiritual provision; he is offering eternal life to his human children. He is sending his servants to say, “Come, for all things are ready!” But how many decline! And they decline because they “make excuse;” they put into the first place that which should come second. It is the demands of business; or it is the cares of the household; or it is the sweets of literature, of art, of family affection; or it is the claims of human friendship; or it is the hope of political influence or renown. It is something human, earthly, finite, on the ground of which the soul is saying, “Ambassador of Christ, I pray thee have me excused!” But it is wrong and it is ruinous to act thus. 1. Nothing will ever justify a man in placing first in his esteem that which God has placed second, in keeping behind that which has such sovereign claims to stand in front. The claims of God the eternal Father of spirits, of Jesus Christ our Divine Saviour, of our own priceless spirit, of those who we love and for whose immortal well-being we are held responsible by God, –these cannot be relegated to a secondary and inferior position without serious guilt . 2. Nothing will make it other than foolish for a man to leave unappropriated the immeasurable blessings of godliness; to prefer any passing earthly good to the service of Jesus Christ, the service which hallows all joy, sanctifies all sorrow, ennobles all life, prepares for death, and makes ready for judgment and eternity. How can such folly be surpassed? 1

People who beg off when it comes to eternal matters have mistakenly equated the temporal with the eternal (Acts 26:1-28). Parable #23 is aimed at unbelievers who measure the eternal using temporal terms . The character flaw – assuming the temporal is as important as the eternal . It is not. People can talk spiritual all they want, but it will not profit them come eternity. 14:18 To refuse an invitation at the last moment ( And they all with one consent began to make excuse ) was an unpardonable breach of etiquette. The following three excuses were based on lies: 1. Who would buy land without first examining it? (vs 18) 2. Who would buy ten oxen without first knowing their condition? (vs 19) 3. If being with his new wife was that important, why wasn’t he with her right then? (vs 20) NOTE - According to verse 21, God is angry with those who lie and make excuses when it comes to eternal matters (Mt 22:5). 1 The Pulpit Commentary. Vol 16. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. 1950 Print.