I Cannot Come

Background Scripture: Luke 14
Lesson Scripture: Luke 14:12-24

Introduction

We are approaching the end of time, and we hear a clarion call from God for a revival. God is being exceptionally good to us, endeavoring to prepare the Bride for the second coming of Christ. Will we anticipate his return, looking with eager hope for the coming banquet? Or will we make excuses? Our spiritual forefathers had their day, and they kept the faith and are awaiting the great celebration. This is our day. Will we be in the number of the faithful? Or will we, through neglect or carelessness or lack of interest, ask to be excused, saying, “I cannot come”?

Key Verse

He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not (Matt. 21:29-30).

Lesson Scripture

Studying the Lesson

Hospitality was practiced throughout Old Testament history. The many examples in the Old Testament of those who were hospitable include Abraham, the Shunammite woman, Job, and the psalmist David. Abraham received angels into his home, even though at first their identity was unknown to him. He washed their feet, prepared fresh meat, his wife baked bread, and then he accompanied them on their way. The New Testament clearly teaches that Christian believers will be hospitable and graciously care for their acquaintances as well as strangers.

In Psalm 23, David extols the Lord as the ultimate host. He anoints our head with oil and cares for us until our cup runs over. Our lesson describes a similar host who prepared a great feast and invited many to come. Without doubt, much thought and preparation went into the anticipated event. Likely, he was ready to wash their feet and serve them in every way. He longed to anoint his guests with his favor and goodness.

Then disappointment of disappointments—the invited guests made excuses! The host’s loving efforts were not appreciated. Those invited had other things to do: land to evaluate and oxen to tend. One had just married, and he said, “I cannot come.” The loving hospitality of the host was refused and rejected by the very ones he had prepared for with such great effort.

Jesus came to this earth for the chosen people of God. He lived among them and taught them for three years. During this time, He chose his twelve disciples and instructed them about his kingdom. There were others also who caught a vision of his work. Among them were Mary, Martha, Lazarus, and Nicodemus. Although some of the Jews believed, the Jewish nation by and large rejected their Messiah. Following the Lord’s resurrection and ascension into Heaven, the plan of salvation was offered to the whole world, including the gentiles. It is largely among “the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind” and those from the “highways and hedges” who will make up the wedding guests at the Lord’s feast.

Practical Truths for Today

“Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies” (Ps. 23:5). This scripture embodies what the Lord does for us daily. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is wonderful; He is a sure guide for our feet as He leads us to the fountains of living waters. The Bible is full of sparkling gems of truth, teaching us how to live.

We live in a world that is enemy territory because the world is Satan’s domain. Satan knows he cannot persuade us that the Bible is false. He also knows that God’s personal relationship with each of us is precious. He knows that we need to utterly depend on God for spiritual life and sustenance. So, what does he do? He tries to keep us from feeding on the Holy Word of God.

Distraction is one of Satan’s most efficient tools. How often do we check our phones early in the morning before we read the Bible? How often when sitting down for a time of devotion do we look at the news, read our latest messages, or check the weather? We may still read the Bible and pray, but we have been distracted, and our time of inspiration was cut short because of other things.

Although we have not verbally asked to be excused from partaking of what the Lord has prepared, by being distracted we are saying, “Excuse me for a minute; here is something more important.” The phone is only one thing that can take our time and divert our attention from the Lord’s feast. Social activities, financial pursuits, and recreational interests are also suspect. For young Christians, it may be sports activities like summer ball games or skating in the winter.

Each Sunday we are confident that the Lord, through the minister, will prepare a spiritual feast for us. A faithful minister will have been praying and searching the Scriptures, trying to find God’s will for the message. Perhaps he has not slept well because of the burden on his heart and arose early in the morning while others were sleeping so he could meditate and prepare his heart for the message. He has been asking God for forgiveness for his own past failures, anticipating that God will open the way for him to bring the Word and the accompanying message. He may struggle with his flesh, fearing to speak his convictions, afraid that some will think him old-fashioned or out of touch with modern times. Yet the burden continues to rest on his heart.

Sunday morning finds him in church, ready to preach, but some of the flock are missing. Are they sick, or are they elsewhere? Many of the seniors among us remember when they were children that if the church doors were open, their family was there. No excuse was good enough to miss a service. Although there are legitimate reasons to miss, the conviction of the importance of faithful church attendance has weakened among us. Sometimes young couples or young singles miss Sunday school, coming just in time for the worship service. Of course, it is wonderful they came then, but why did they miss Sunday school?

How often can we say, “Excuse me, Lord, but I am just too tired to go to church this morning,” or “Excuse me, Lord, but I need to check my phone,” or “Excuse me, Lord; we had so much fun last night I overslept, so I must quickly have my devotions”? How long will the Lord bear with these excuses? Is this what happened to the five foolish virgins? Being virgins, their lives were pure and their doctrine was sound. Perhaps the essence of their lack of preparation was that they had too often made excuses. I cannot come right now; I have other things to attend to. And the door was closed to them—eternally!

Questions

1. Is it “I cannot come,” “I won’t come,” or “I’m just too busy right now”?
2. God is calling his people to a renewal of purpose. If I do not get serious about this call, am I in fact saying, “I cannot come”?
3. What are the reasons when we fail to be inspired in a time of devotion or under the preaching of the Word?
4. Does an indifferent attitude toward the invitation to come to the “great supper” indicate we are halting between two opinions? (1 Kings 18:21).
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Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).