"Self-Disqualifed"

Luke 14.16-20 The Message

“…there was once a man who threw a great dinner party and invited many. When it was time for dinner, he sent out his servant to the invited guests, saying, ‘Come on in; the food’s on the table.’ 

“Then they all began to beg off, one after another making excuses.

“The first said, ‘I bought a piece of property and need to look it over. Send my regrets.’ “Another said, ‘I just bought five teams of oxen, and I really need to check them out. Send my regrets.’ “And yet another said, ‘I just got married and need to get home to my wife.’ ”

“I cannot come” is almost never true. If I decline an invitation, unless I am in a coma or dead, it is not because “I cannot come.” It’s always because there’s something else I would rather do.

Anyone can accept Christ’s gracious invitation, but most will not. Jesus predicted, “For many are invited, but few are chosen” (Matthew 22.14); that is, all are invited, but few will come.

“Then go to the country roads. Whoever you find, drag them in. I want my house full!”

Luke 14.23 The Message

Some vendors will not publicize the cost their wares. They do not want their customers to self-disqualify. That can easily happen when price is an issue. As every good salesman knows, price is only an issue in the absence of value. If people grasped Christ’s value, they would pay any price to have Him. Instead, most self-disqualify and miss out on the opportunity of (an eternal) lifetime.

“…not one of those originally invited is going 
to get so much as a bite at my dinner party.”

Luke 14.24 The Message

I cannot honestly say “I cannot come.” I may choose to self-disqualify with seemingly legitimate excuses. But I can come if I want to.

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The wonderfully creative photographs entitled "Wedding Invitation" were used by permission of Trevor Navarra whose excellent photostream you can view at http://www.flickr.com/photos/arravan314/.