Luke 14 vs 16 – 17. “Jesus replied: ‘A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guest. At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’”
It is interesting that the Lord used the metaphor of a feast to describe the joys of the world to come. It was not a new thought to Jewish people. Read Isaiah 25 vs 6-8.
But here Jesus stresses the lavishness of the banquet. It is a great banquet and he invited many guests. The idea of feasting as opposed to mere eating indicates to us that in that glorious Kingdom no true desire or longing given to us by God will be left unsatisfied.
Think of the disappointments we experience here in this world. How many have tasted the bitterness of broken relationships. All the natural desires we have to be loved, wanted and valued that have been frustrated here will find their fulfilment there.
Think again of how often we have felt futile and useless in doing anything special for God. How many of us have felt that our prayers are ineffectual, our personal holiness is deficient and the little we managed to do by way of service was really of not much value at all.
But nothing is ever as it seems to be. The very fact that we as fallen creatures could ever want to pray properly, love properly or serve properly is an indication of God’s grace in our lives. We would have no such aspirations were it not for the work of the Holy Spirit within us.
And so in that glorious world we will see all our faint efforts, longings and desires suddenly filled out and our tongues loosened in praise to the King.
It is a banquet to remember! It is a time of happiness and joy and fulfilment for all who are invited and who receive that invitation.
But for them only.