How does Luke 14:17 connect with the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20? The Banquet Invitation (Luke 14:17) “At the time of the banquet, he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’” The Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Core Parallels Between the Two Passages • Prepared Provision – Luke 14:17: “everything is now ready.” – Matthew 28:20: Christ has finished the work of redemption (John 19:30) and now commissions. The meal is prepared; salvation is accomplished. Believers announce what God has already made ready. • Authoritative Sending – Luke: the master “sent his servant.” – Matthew: Jesus says, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me… go.” Both servants and disciples move under delegated authority. • Universal Invitation – Luke’s parable later widens to “the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame… the roads and country lanes” (vv. 21-23). – Matthew commands reaching “all nations.” The gospel banquet crosses every social, ethnic, and geographic barrier. • Call to Immediate Response – Luke: “Come” (present imperative). – Matthew: “Go” (present participle with imperatival force). One verb summons sinners; the other propels saints. Together they form the divine conversation of salvation. • Servant Identity – Luke: a single servant embodies humility and obedience. – Matthew: every disciple becomes that servant (2 Corinthians 5:20). Christians inherit the role modeled in the parable. The Servant-Disciple Pattern 1. Hearing the master’s command → receiving Christ’s commission. 2. Going to the invited → engaging the world. 3. Speaking the master’s words → proclaiming the gospel message (Romans 10:14-15). 4. Urging acceptance → calling for repentance and faith (Acts 2:38). Urgency and Finality • “Everything is now ready” signals a closing window (Luke 14:24). • “End of the age” (Matthew 28:20) fixes a deadline for mission. Both passages press believers toward vigilant, time-sensitive ministry (John 9:4). Practical Implications for Today – View evangelism as issuing banquet invitations, not selling a product. – Trust the sufficiency of the prepared feast; the gospel alone satisfies. – Rely on Christ’s authority and presence rather than personal ability. – Pursue all peoples, especially the overlooked, mirroring the parable’s widening circle. – Remember the celebration ahead: “Blessed are those invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb” (Revelation 19:9). Summary Luke 14:17 and Matthew 28:19-20 converge: the finished banquet becomes the driving force behind the global mission. The Master’s table is ready; the Savior’s command is clear. Believers, as His servants, go with authority, urgency, and joyful confidence that many will come and be filled. |
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