The Great Banquet
A man prepares a great feast, but the invited guests all make excuses. So he sends servants to bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.
Luke 14:15-24
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The Story
When one of those at the table with Jesus said, 'Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God,' Jesus replied:
'A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, "Come, for everything is now ready."
But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, "I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me."
Another said, "I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I'm on my way to try them out. Please excuse me."
Still another said, "I just got married, so I can't come."
The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, "Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame."
"Sir," the servant said, "what you ordered has been done, but there is still room."
Then the master told his servant, "Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full. I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet."'
The original guests represent those who should have recognized and welcomed Jesus—Israel's religious leaders. But they made excuses, prioritizing possessions and relationships over the invitation. So the invitation went to those the religious deemed unworthy: the poor, disabled, and outcasts.
God's banquet will be full—but those who reject His invitation will miss it.
The Big Party
Kids Version
Jesus told a story about a man who threw a HUGE party:
The man worked hard to prepare everything. The food was ready! The decorations were up! He sent his servant to tell all the invited guests: 'Come on! The party is starting!'
But something weird happened. EVERYONE made excuses!
'Sorry, I just bought some land. I need to go look at it.' (Really? Right now?)
'Sorry, I just bought some oxen. I need to test them.' (Can't that wait?)
'Sorry, I just got married.' (Bring your wife to the party!)
The man was hurt and angry. He'd worked SO hard, and nobody wanted to come!
'Fine!' he told his servant. 'Go into the streets. Find the poor people, the disabled people, the blind, the lame—bring them ALL!'
The servant did. But there was STILL room!
'Go even farther!' the man said. 'Go to the highways and country roads. MAKE people come! I want my house FULL!'
And it was! The party was amazing—full of grateful people who never expected to be invited.
Jesus was teaching: God invites everyone to His kingdom! But some people are too busy with other stuff. They make excuses.
So God invites EVERYONE else—people the world looks down on. His kingdom WILL be full!
Don't be like those excuse-makers. When God invites you, say YES!
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Characters in This Story
Scripture — Luke 14:15-24 (KJV)
15And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.
16Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:
17And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.
18And 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.
19And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.
20And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.
21So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.
22And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.
23And 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.
24For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.
Memory Verse
“And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.”
— Luke 14:15 (KJV)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the story of “The Great Banquet” in the Bible?
A man prepares a great feast, but the invited guests all make excuses. So he sends servants to bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame. This story is found in Luke 14:15-24.
Where is “The Great Banquet” found in the Bible?
“The Great Banquet” is found in Luke 14:15-24, in the book of Luke.
What can children learn from “The Great Banquet”?
This story teaches children about Invitation, Excuses, God's grace to all, Rejection. A man planned an amazing party and invited lots of people. But they all made excuses! So he invited everyone else—and his house was full!