Description
Compels Them To Come
Are there any of you listening to me now who feel unworthy? Who feel that you are just not good enough and will never measure up to the Lord’s standard, let alone inherit celestial glory? If, like me, you feel that way, then please consider this parable of Jesus.
Probably somewhere in one of the villages of Galilee, Jesus was invited to the home of a pharisee for a meal. As he entered the house, he saw a man with dropsy: an affliction resembling jaundice that caused the man’s body to swell. He healed him.
As he took his seat, he noticed those invited guests who were strategically placing themselves in the seats of honor closest to the host. He taught a powerful lesson about humility and not thinking ourselves better than another, saying: “Whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted”.
While He continued speaking of feasts, one of those listening said: “Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God”. Jesus took that comment as the segue to a parable. He told of a “certain man [who] made a great supper and bade many.” But those honored and invited, made excuses and declined to show up. This made the master angry at being so snubbed and he said: “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”.
The servant went and did as requested, and returned to say, “Yet there is room”. At this point the Lord made a startling command: “Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled”.
Now, what does it mean? At least in part it means this:
It is the Lord Himself hosting a celestial feast in His house (the Celestial Kingdom). He invites the chosen people first: those of the place of honor in the House of Israel, but they decline and are too concerned with possessions and positions.
So, He next sends His servant out to bring in the poor, the common ordinary folks, of the House of Israel who are inside the city. And when there is yet room in His house (and there always is) He sends the servant out to get whom? Those who are completely outside, the travelers and homeless among the gentiles, those on the highway and sheltering under the hedges who have no part nor place among the chosen in His holy city.
And these He compels to come, or urges them strongly, to come to His feast.
Do you see?
We are those among the nations of the Gentiles of mixed blood, even as those ancient, despised Samaritans. Not only does He want us/you at His table—He is insistent! No matter how spiritually poor, crippled, and unworthy you now feel; He wants you there at His side so much that He will send His servants to compel you to come. “Come Unto Me” is not just an invitation, it borders upon a command, “You will come!”
He really wants us!
Source:
Luke 14
