Luke 14:17-20 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.
There is a definite difference between an excuse and a reason. An excuse is something we come up with in order to keep us from what we prefer not to do. A reason is something that is a legitimate situation that prevents us from doing something we may desire to do. In our text today Jesus was teaching in a religious leader’s home while He was attending a supper. He tells the story of a man that had prepared a feast and he sent his servant to call all those that had been invited to come, because the supper was ready. The Bible says, that they all began to make an excuse as to why they couldn’t come to the feast. I guess the argument could be made for the last man who said, I married a wife and I can’t come, that he had a reason and not an excuse.
We all have our excuses lined up for things we don’t want to do, or tasks that we desire to put off until a later time. We allow those excuses to hinder our progress in life. What I mean is, there are tasks that will eventually need to be addressed, they are situations that are unavoidable. However, rather than facing them head on and taking charge, we put off doing the hard or uncomfortable things. Then, when we can no longer make excuses, whatever the task is that we have put off, has become more difficult to complete, and takes more of our time and energy then when it first showed up. Or worse yet, the opportunity slips away, as we are making up our excuses.
In context of our passage of Scripture, Jesus in referring to the invitation God has put out to come and enjoy fellowship with Him. Jesus came and made the way for all of mankind to have a relationship with God the Father by dying on the cross for our sins. The invitation is available for all people to come, to meet the Father through Christ. He invites us to come to God, ask for forgiveness of our sins, and trust Jesus Christ alone as your Savior. The sad truth is that many people have their excuses all lined up as to why they won’t come. “I have my religion,” “I’m a good person,” “Maybe later, I’ve got time.” At one point in my life, I could go down the list of my own excuses why I would not come to Christ. But, I thank God that the day came and I let go of the excuses and trusted Christ!
Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
The invitation is here for you today to have a relationship with God through Christ. Let go of your excuses and let the Lord into your life today.