Jesus and his disciples were invited to dinner at the home of a prominent Pharisee. Jesus had been discoursing with the host, teaching him a better way of thinking and life. He concluded a parable about the reward that goes with covert generosity by saying, “But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” (13-14)
Picking up on “the resurrection of the righteous” one of those at the table with him said to Jesus, “Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.” Sounds like the great Messianic banquet to come was one of the person’s favorite subjects. The association of the future kingdom with a feast was common then and is still so now. (13:29; Isaiah 25:6; Matthew 8:11, 25:1-10, 26:29; Revelation 19:9)
Jesus used the person’s remark as the occasion for a new parable warning that not everyone would enter the kingdom. The parable’s characters were a host of a coming banquet, his servant, and some invited guests. It was common in those days to send out an early invitation, make arrangements for the banquet, and when all was ready send a servant to tell the guests to come for the banquet is ready.
God is the host of the future Messianic banquet. The prophets, Jesus, and the apostles are his servants who tell others that they are invited to attend. Now I am one too. A great banquet is coming. Are you ready and willing to attend?
