The Blind Man Near Bethsaida

Parables of Jesus, Study 10

Grand Banquet

Read Luke 14:12-27 and answer the following questions.

1. What was the context of why Jesus was giving the parable and to whom was He speaking it to?

Ans:

· There were people there that thought they were going to heaven for sure.

· The feast was made for only the Jews and none of the Gentiles, nor sick, nor maimed. So Jesus wanted to illustrate to them with the feast – that just as they were leaving out people from the feast, God’s mercy was about to run out on them as well.

· He was speaking this parable to the chief Pharisees (Luke 14:1)

2. What does the supper represent and what are the implications?

Ans:

· Blessings offered through the gospel. The blessings were not to be kept just between the Jewish nation but to all the world.

3. Who were invited to the great supper and who do they represent?

Ans:

· 1st—the friends = Jewish nation

· 2nd—the poor, the injured (maimed), blind, which were within the city walls.

· 3rd—Highway & hedges = everyone outside of Judaism, whole unbeliever nations; first to the highway = teachers and leaders in the world (rich) and secondly the hedge = the poor class of society.

4. What were the excuses that were given? What are the common characteristics of the excuses?

Ans:

· Excuses given – Luke 14:18-20

· The word excuse means “to beg off, to decline, shun, avoid.”

· Common characteristics:

o None of them were to be found of real necessity

o The ground – it was already bought. His interest was all absorbed in his purchase

o The oxen – it had already been purchased as well. The proving of them was only to satisfy the interest of the buyer, but it wouldn’t have made a difference in his purchase

o The wife – they were married already. He could have brought his wife and both would have been welcome. But he had his own plans for enjoyment

o All their minds were preoccupied with other things, the things God gives them become the very excuse of not being able to accept the invitation (gospel)

· Application:

o Many times our excuses are so foolish in the eyes of God. And many times man can also see through them. We put God off for a more convenient season (Acts 24:25)

5. Before you can accept the invitation to the wedding feast, what must you first do?

Bible Text:

Ans:

· You must make all your interests subordinate to the one purpose of receiving Christ and His righteousness.

6. What did the lord mean when he told the servant to “compel them to come in”? Luke 14:23

Bible Text: Rev. 22:17, Isa. 55:1

Ans:

· It denotes urgency of the invitation and effectiveness in transmitting the message not necessary force. God forces no one. He makes the invitation (Rev. 22:17, Isa. 55:1)

7. In the context of the study, what does it mean to hate family or friends in order to follow Jesus?

Bible Text:

Ans:

· If we are not willing to sacrifice even the pleasures of the home or the company of family that we may do God’s work, then we won’t follow Him.

8. What is the result of rejecting the invitation to the supper?

Bible Text: Luke 14:24; Rev. 19:9, 17-18

Ans:

· They shall not taste of the supper feast. You either go to the supper or you become supper.