Luke 14:15-23 Come, The Feast Is Spread

Luke 14:15-23 NIV
We all have excuses. Everyone, it seems, wants to be present at the great banquet table in the Kingdom of God after they enter through physical death. But, not so many realize that the banquet table of the Kingdom is prepared just about every Sunday (sometimes more; sometimes less). This feast of Jesus Christ is for you. He invites you. The one who died for you and has prepared a place for you welcomes you. Yet, what is the response? Do you have other things to do this Sunday?

The Kingdom of God is at hand. The table has been prepared for you. You have been invited. "Come, for everything is now ready."

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Matthew 22:1-14 - I Cannot Come

“The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come." (Matt 22:2-3 NIV)

Oh, yes, a goodly number of us want to go this banquet after we are dead and buried; but, how about today? Are we willing to sit at that table today? Maybe, there's a more enticing table set someplace for you than at the Lord's Table? Not everyone that's been invited will be at the table eating and drinking; receiving the "foretaste of the feast to come." Some will decline for a "better" offer.

On the occasions that this parable shows is our Sunday reading, our choir usually sings "I Cannot Come To The Banquet." (I could not find the author's name - possibly The Medical Mission Sisters, 1966?) 

I cannot come.
I cannot come to the banquet, don't trouble me now.
I have married a wife.
I have bought me a cow.
I have fields and commitments
That cost a pretty sum.
Pray, hold me excused,
I cannot come.

A certain man held a feast on his fine estate in town.
He laid a festive table and wore a wedding gown.
He sent invitations to his neighbors far and wide
But when the meal was ready, each of them replied:

 I cannot come.
I cannot come to the banquet, don't trouble me now.
I have married a wife.
I have bought me a cow.
I have fields and commitments
That cost a pretty sum.
Pray, hold me excused,
I cannot come.

The master rose up in anger, called his servants by name,
"Go into the town, fetch the blind and the lame,
Fetch the peasant and the pauper for this I have willed,
My banquet must be crowded, and my table must be filled."

 I cannot come.
I cannot come to the banquet, don't trouble me now.
I have married a wife.
I have bought me a cow.
I have fields and commitments
That cost a pretty sum.
Pray, hold me excused,
I cannot come.

When all the poor had assembled,
There was still room to spare,
So the master demanded: "Go search ev'rywhere,
To the highways and the byways
And force them to come in.
My table must be filled before the banquet can begin.

 I cannot come.
I cannot come to the banquet, don't trouble me now.
I have married a wife.
I have bought me a cow.
I have fields and commitments
That cost a pretty sum.
Pray, hold me excused,
I cannot come.

Yes, no? What will it be? Will you come to the banquet?

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. Hope to see you at the Lord's Table.

Esther 1 - Feasting - With Wine

Ok... I'm confused.  After about a half of a year of showing off his kingdom, King Xerxes (Ahasuerus) declares a seven day feast, during which there is much wine drunk.  Seven days of partying.  Then on the seventh day when King Xerxes is in high spirits from the wine (drunk), he sends for his beautify wife, Queen Vashti so that he can show her off to his company.  She refuses.  He is embarrassed and there are consequences for her. 

What is this? Would this king have commanded her to come so that everyone could ogle her, if he'd been sober.  Would she have said no, if he and his company had been sober?

The book of Esther; however, I think we will enjoy.  Scene 1:  Xerxes gets rid of his present wife, the queen.

(Edited title on 8/25/2011 due to typo - feasting not fasting.)