Despicable Ingratitude

And 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. - Luke 14:18

    The excuses given by those who had opportunity and invitation and chose not to attend the feast prepared, were ridiculous, and revealed many things about them. This is an example of those who have no heart for the Gospel, although professors of religion. The first thing revealed about them was, they had no appetite for the food prepared, which is Christ. They had no taste for the Gospel, having never really eaten of his flesh nor having drunk of his blood, they had no life in them for Christ. Another thing revealed about them was their priorities. Their hearts were fixed upon the things of the world—the flesh. Their first love was the satisfaction and gratification of their lust of the flesh, the eye, and pride in themselves and their possessions.

    Even though they were bade to come to this delightful banquet and feast with the Master, their carnal cravings made earthly things more important to them and forbade them to come. Their words and actions revealed their love for the world was greater than their love for God. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him (1 Jn 2:15). Their stupid, ridiculous excuses reveal an ungrateful, unthankful, hard, cold, calloused heart toward one who is worthy of all love, respect, honour, praise and glory. All those who casually esteem the glorious Gospel of Christ and classify it somewhere below the top of their list of priorities in the attending of it will inevitably with one consent begin to make excuse. I would be remiss if I did not direct our attention to the Master of the feast and his feelings in this matter. Then the master of the house being angry. He here distinguishes those who dine with him from those who don’t. For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper (verse 24). And If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple (Lk 14:26).