The National tribune., 1890-07-03
SUNDAY MEDITATION.

SUBJECT: PARABLE OF THE GUESTS AT THE
FEAST IN HONOR OF THE MARRIAGE OF THE
KINGS Son.
1. Preliminary.
We cannot enter into the discussion as TO the
identity of this parable with that in st. Matt,
% Ill. Many students think both are prsc-
tically the same, and that st. Matthew gives
the fuller report Others hold that the two
differ, and that Christ repeated himself. We
shall treat the parable as though given by st.
Luke alone, and consider it so different as at
least to make separate study of the two accounts
more profitable.
2. Data.
Assuming this miracle differs as to time
and place from that given by ST. Matthew, we
have for study only the account found in st.
Buke's Gospel, to wit Sc. Luke, ID: 1924. lie
wrote A. ID. 81, at Achaa, Greece.
8. Time.
Christ uttered this parable A. ID. %. in the
first part of March, some three weeks before
his death, % years before st. Luke recorded it,
1861 years ago, in the 3ith year of Christs life
and tho fourth of his ministry.
A. Place
Christ was on way to Jerusalem, going from
Ephron to Jericho by way of Perea. Perhaps
we can locate the place at Bethaba"a. Christ
was in the house of one of the chief Phsrisees.
(St. Luke. Ia: 81
5. The Speaker.
Jesus was the author of this parable To was
his custom to illustrate truth and enforce duty
by stories, common incidents, accepted facts.
What is parable2 little girl on being once
asked that question answered. "An earthly
story with Heavenly meaning" Christ was
all the more entertaining from the fact he
related beautiful incidents. lie thus gained
attention and mado himself the moro readily
understood.
6. Hearers.
We find from st. Luke ID g. the company
present consisted of lawyers aud Pharisees.
Among them was Christ's host. (V. H. The
18th verse represents zone of thom as speak
ing to Christ aud verse 16 shows the parable
was addressed in special to that person. Of
course Jesus spoke in the hearing of all. and
virtually addressed the entire party gathered
in tho "house of one of the chief Pharisees."
Then Christ meant his instructions should be
published, and thus in real way we ought all
to be hearers of his parallels.
z. The Circumstances
Jesus was on his final journey from Galilee
up to Jerusalem. On the way he was invited
to dine with q certain Pharisee somewhere in
Perea, opposite Jericho. Being nc feast Christ
supposes the Gospel to be banquet given to the
world The audience was pleased with the ina
gerry used by our Savior in the Parable as to the
Chief Places Mt the Table. (St. Luke, Ii: 7-l4.)
But Jews were unable to think OF religion save
as q special favoritism OF their Nation. One of
the hearers of Christ exclaimed just after Christ
uttered the parable of tho Chief Places, Blessed
Is he that shall cat bread in the Kingdom of
God" ". l5.) From prophecies, Jews knew
Jesus as tho Messiah was to come to earth
and establish a Kingdom, but they never
thought of said Kingdom, save as their special
inheritance. Tho Jew meant 10 say. Blessed
are we Jews who are destined TO exclusive
right 20 sittings ut the feast in the new King
dom. The parable of the Great Supper"
Isl. Luke, Ii: 10 24,l was uttered by our Savior
on purpose TO correct the nRrTowness of the
jews, TO intimate TO them the acceptance of the
Gentiles.
8. The Parable Paraphrased
Centuries ago in an Oriental land gentle
man made great preparations for grand festi-
val. He had invited a large number OF guests,
with the understanding that whom the supper
was ready they would be informed When the
tables were loaded and everything prepared he
sent his servant around TO inform those pre-
yiously invited that he desired them now to
come aud share his hospitality. Everything
WAS ready. So the servant went forth bearing
said message. But every one to whom he car
ried the invitation had an excuse. Though
notified beforehand, and hence most reasonably
expected 10 be ready, they will not come. and
instead send frivolous apologies. When the
servant returned n statement of the case to his
master relating the various excuses the gentle
man was very indignant. Supper was in
readiness aud mono on hand TO partake of It,
So he told his servant to 20 quickly into the
lanes aud streets of the city aud bring in the
poor halt aud blind. That was done, and yet
all the places at the table were not occupied.
There WAS still room.
o. The Parable Explained
Tho parable was AN incident narrated by
our Savior. What did he mean by it2 Saliva
ton through Christ-rcdemp tion from sin
rescue from porlition aud welcome 10 Heaven
lis compared to feast Jesus is giving this
entertainment To the world Those first in
yitcd To said feast were the Jews tSt. Matt.
10: 5, o; Acts, }: %, 26) When the supper
was ready, that Is TO say, when Christ died and
tho Gospel was first preached, Christs servants
This early ministors) won't out and invited tho
Israelites 10 come aud share the benefits Of the
atonement. They would not accept. They
offered all sorts of excuses and thrust forth
every kind of objection. Sneh trntment of
his invitation IS offensive to Christ. Then he
bado his servants 20 TO the Gentiles and invite
them to come and feast with him. Thoy did so
carry the invitation, and hosts of the Gentiles
became Christians Still there is room, and the
servants of Christ arc sent out into the high
ways aud hedges everywhere To preach the
glorious Gospel. People hear IL now. No order
has been issued calling Gospel ministers in
from their work. " Yet there is room" Christ
has not hidden his servants stop inviting sin
ners To accept salvation.
10. Words aud Phrases Explained.
/. Blessed" ". 49, Happy
2. =" Bread" ". 49, Compare Supper" in
verse IT, Religion is feast. We have souls
with eternal appetitos. Christ is the Bread of
Life. Hunger aud thirst after righteousness.
Cultivate a relish for Gospel viands. Redemp-
ton is everlasting nourishment. Seek tho
Holy Communion.
). " Excuse" ". 1S) An excuse is a reason
presented by one for acquittAl, paliation or de-
Tense. In this parable it is a begging of from
acceptance to n feast. Tho Latin verb from
which we get our word excuse was Roman
legal, forensic term used by the defendant in
court. who sought to cxcnpate the accused by
showing him innocent or by assigning sufficient
causes Tor the act with which he was charged.
The word shows a relation exists between two
parties, IA relation involving obligation and de-
mandiDg explanations in case of any irrcgulari-
ty. Friendship is one such relation. The fact
of being neghbors may DO another A condition
of dependence is often another.
4. "Ail things are now ready" ". III 1t
was customary in the East first to extend an
invitation without date or exact time of a ban.
qnet. Then servants went again when all
things were ready. CHESTS had due notice and
goodly chance to prepare. No time WAS lost.
1t was expected, however, that the parties in
vitod would at once set about getting in readi-
ness togo whom informed the host was COM