Scripture to Read: Luke 14:21–24
Since the people who had initially been invited to the dinner refused to come, the master sent his slave back out, and God had Luke record this in Luke 14:21–24, “‘Go out at once into the streets and lanes of the city and bring in here the poor and crippled and blind and lame.’ 22 And the slave said, ‘Master, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.’ 23 And the master said to the slave, ‘Go out into the highways and along the hedges, and compel them to come in, so that my house may be filled. 24 For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste of my dinner.’” There will be an incredible banquet in heaven, as has already been noted in Luke 14:15. The question is this: “When people are invited, will they come or make excuses?” God desires all to come to Him through Christ our Lord. It’s not that the invitation is limited; it’s that not all who are invited are willing to come. Jesus even used the words, “compel them to come in.” God the Father has a deep, passionate desire to fill His house. People who are spiritually broken (lame, crippled, blind) and know they are spiritually broken never feel worthy to be invited by their Creator to dine at His table; that is why Jesus said they must be compelled by the love of God. For sinners to be saved, we must go to them, share the love of Christ, and compel them to come.
Challenge & Application
Why must spiritually broken people be compelled to surrender to Christ and receive the fullness of His love and forgiveness?
Who are you currently compelling to come to Christ and to surrender to Him as Lord?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!