September 25 - Excuses.

Luke 14:16-18
“Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. And they all with one consent began to make excuse…”
 
The master had given his servant instructions to bid others to come to the supper that had been prepared. The servant obeyed, and went inviting others to come, but they all began to give their excuses why they could not.
Sound familiar?
 
We hear excuses from people from two different sides of the ministry. Those who are too busy to see their need for Jesus Christ, and those who too busy to serve Him.
 
Some use vacation or leisure as an excuse.
Luke 14:18
“…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.”
 
Some use possessions or material goods as an excuse.
Luke 14:19
“And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.”
 
Some use family as an excuse.
Luke 14:20
“And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.”
 
The people’s excuses made the master angry, and gave the willing servant more work.
Luke 14:21
“So 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.”
 
The willing servant brought the poor, the maimed, the halt, and the blind to the master’s house, and yet there was room for more! There is always room at the Master’s house.
 Luke 14:22
“And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.”
 
People will always make excuses for their sin and their need for salvation, but we cannot let that stop us from inviting them to the Master. We must still go out and compel them to come hear the Truth.
 
On the other side of things, when will we stop making excuses for putting off what we know the Lord would have us to do? Those that have answered the call of salvation and placed their faith in Christ are also called to serve Him.
 
Stop the excuses. Find a place within your local church to be a willing servant.
 
 
Bible Reading:
Isaiah 29-30  |  Romans 8  |  Psalm 57