The Great Feast: Understanding Divine Hospitality and Radical Inclusion

The Parable of the Great Feast in Luke 14:15-24 paints a vivid picture of divine hospitality and radical inclusion. Through the story of a host whose invited guests make excuses not to attend his banquet, Jesus reveals profound truths about God's kingdom. When the original guests reject the invitation, the host extends it to those on the margins of society—the poor, crippled, blind, and lame—and eventually to anyone who can be found on the highways and hedges. This isn't merely a story about a dinner party; it's a powerful revelation of God's heart. The parable challenges our assumptions about who belongs at God's table and asks us to examine our own response to His invitation. Are we too preoccupied with worldly concerns to accept, or are we ready to join the feast? The table is set, the food is prepared, and the invitation stands—how will we respond?