THERE IS STILL ROOM!

"Sir, the servant said, 'what you ordered has been done, but there is still room." (Luke 14:22)

THE SALVATION OF GOD is so large that many different views of it are provided in Scripture. In its broadest view, the salvation of God is encompassed in the expression "the Kingdom of God." The present reign of the Almighty focuses upon the extrication of men from the guilt and power of sin – all the while maintaining complete control over all the world as He works everything together for the good of His people.

SEVEN TIMES THE BOOK OF MATTHEW represents Jesus as saying "the kingdom of heaven is like unto . . . " In these various representations, the Lord is showing different aspects of this "great salvation." In one respect, it tends to spread like yeast (Matt 13:33). In another sense, it is like finding a great treasure that compels the finder to abandon everything else to obtain it (Matt 13:44-46). Still another view shows how salvation involves the employment of many souls, some of which will be finally rejected (Matt 13:47-50). It also involves opening up things that are both "old" and "new" (Matt 13:52). Salvation involves the employment of laborers to work in the Lord's vineyard (Matt 20:1-16). It is even like a man who made a marriage for his son, inviting guests from far and wide to be part of the occasion (Matt 22:2-10).

OUR TEXT PROVIDES yet another view of salvation, including the varied responses of humanity to God's provision of it. In this parable, Jesus said the provision of salvation was like a certain man who "made a great supper, and bade many." This was a sumptuous banquet with rich fare, and an abundance befitting of a man of great wealth. It took some time for this remarkable feast to be prepared. Before the preparations began, invitations were sent out, alerting the potential guests of the large and opulent fiesta. When it was ready, servants were sent out to all who had been invited, who, it would be expected, would rejoice to learn that the appointed time had come. The joyful sound was proclaimed, "Come, for all things are now ready" (14:17).

TO THE CONSTERNATION OF THE CRIERS, the people began to offer excuses for NOT coming to the feast – the feast to which they had previously been alerted and invited. One man said he had purchased a piece of land and simply had to go and look at it (14:18). Another said he had just bought five yoke of oxen, and was on his way to test them out (14:19). Still another said he had just married a wife, and simply was not able to come (14:20). Their daily activities, they thought, made no allowance for attending this banquet.

AS MIGHT BE EXPECTED, the servant returned to tell the master of the house of the situation. From a purely human point of view (which is always the wrong view), all of the excuses seemed reasonable enough. However, that is not the way the master of the house viewed them. Jesus declared the master was "angry" about the situation. He told the servant to "Go out at once into the streets and lanes of the city and bring in here the poor and crippled and blind and lame" (Luke 14:21, NASB). These were people who ordinarily would NOT be invited to such a feast, and therefore would tend to appreciate it more. They were people who were more aware of their helpless condition than others. Among them were people who had no resources, were not mobile, could not see, and could not walk at all. The servant was told to "bring" them, not simply invite them.

HAVING QUICKLY OBEYED HIS MASTER, the servant reported, "Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and YET THERE IS ROOM." Ordinarily, feasts are limited, food runs out, and there can easily be more people than provisions. But here is a feast that is larger than the number availing themselves of it. There is still room. More can come. There is no established quota or limitation. The master responded, "And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled" (14:23). He added, "none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper" (14:24).

GREAT PROVISIONS DEMAND GREAT RESPONSES. Abundant supplies require abounding and gracious reactions. Yet, throughout history, a relatively small percentage of those hearing the Gospel of this bountiful banquet of salvation have actually come to the feast – though all are invited. THERE IS STILL ROOM! Still an abundance remains. The table of salvation is spread with all manner of necessities and spiritual pleasantries – a "feast of fat things," indeed (Isa 25:6). Those who refuse to come to this table have, by that very refusal, forfeited their right to participate in the banquet. God will not continue to invite those who spurn His love, refuse His provisions, and neglect His great salvation (Heb 2:3). However, there are the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame. There are those wandering on the highways and hedges of loneliness who know they stand in need. These poor souls are to be brought to the feast. God wants them there!

– Given O. Blakely