https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+14%3A7-24&version=ESV (Luke 14:7-24) When I was young kid, a familiar sound was often heard in my neighborhood about 5:00 p.m. It was the sound of my mother’s voice calling out, “Steve! It’s suppertime.” I would usually be playing with the neighborhood kids and within hearing distance. I cold heard her, but was busy playing, so I would ignore the call and not respond. A few minutes later she’d called again. “Steve, it’s time to come home! Supper’s ready,” but I would continue to play. If I waited too long, I might hear a final call. This one was tinged with frustration and quite a bit of irritation. “STEVEN EARL KRAMER! You get home right now or you won’t get supper!” That’s when I knew mom meant business, and I’d better hustle on home. Looking back on it, I’m sure mom would not have followed through on her threat. She had a lot of grace in her. I’m telling you this story because, as we continue our sermon series – Stories With Intent – we find Jesus telling a parable with a bit of the same sentiment and feeling. It also holds an irritated warning. Jesus is sitting at a dinner table with Pharisees and scribes. It’s the Sabbath, and He is their guest. He observed things going on around Him at this party and eventually shared His observations with them. They probably weren’t very happy because it was a very tough critique. To the other guests surrounding Him He said, I can’t help but notice you guys fall over each another trying to grab the place of honor at the table. Don’t do that! Humbleness is the name of the game. To the host He said, A very select group is attending your dinner. You seem to have invited only the rich and pious in your circle of equal status. Instead of inviting those who can pay you back, invite the poor, the lame, and the blind – those who cannot reciprocate. It pleases God, and you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just. Ha! Tension must have filled the air when Jesus gave these criticisms. Perhaps a long, pregnant silence filled the room. AWKWARD! Who does He think He is, speaking to us like He is God or something! What does He know about the resurrection of the just anyway? At that point, someone at the table spoke up and made a statement, a religious platitude. “Blessed is everyone who will eat the bread in the kingdom of God.” He was referring to the great day of God’s salvation, which had long been anticipated by the Jewish people. The day when Messiah comes, all would be well. They commonly thought about the coming day of salvation as a great banquet as it was referred to in Isaiah 25. It would be a new day of peace and prosperity. God would be in charge. Experts among the Jews believed and taught that this kingdom would only be enjoyed by the Jewish faithful, meaning them. No sinners, outcasts, or unclean types would be allowed at the table – especially not Gentiles (the non-Jews of the world). “Blessed are those who eat the bread of the kingdom.” Why do you suppose this person made the statement anyway? Was it because Jesus said something about the future resurrection of the just and just needed to respond with something religious? Perhaps. As if he was saying, Resurrection day, Jesus? We’re in! When the role is called up yonder, I’ll be there. Yes, sir! Or was someone trying to ease the tension in the room as if to say, At least we can all agree that when the kingdom comes, it will be great, and we will be blessed. Perhaps, but if it was the reason, it didn’t work. In response to the man’s statement, Jesus told a parable, which had to have upset them all the more. It was the story of a man who once gave a great banquet and invited many people. His initial invitation was accepted by many at first, but when the man’s servant made the announcement that all was ready, it was met with excuses from the invited (weak excuses at that). The man’s generosity was treated with great...