Excuse Me!

Picture a child rushing through a crowded room crying out, “Excuse me! Excuse!” as he or she presses on toward the destination they have in mind. We might note the child’s words reveal having been taught the need for politeness in maneuvering through a crowded room. However, doesn’t the “Excuse me!” used in such a manner actually convey the idea, “Out of my way as I get where I want to do what I want!”?

When Jesus told the parable of the “Great Banquet”, those first invited when told it was time to come began offering excuse after excuse as they rejected the invitation.

We read…
“(18) But THEY ALL ALIKE BEGAN TO MAKE EXCUSES. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. PLEASE HAVE ME EXCUSED.’ (19) And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. PLEASE HAVE ME EXCUSED.’ (20) And another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I CANNOT COME.’” ( Luke 14:18-20 ESV)

The Jewish leaders and the people of Israel had been anticipating the time for when the Messiah would come and establish His kingdom. They knew they would surely be invited when the time came. However, when the Messiah did come, so many of them rejected what He had to offer as they went on living according to their own understanding and doing things the way they had become accustomed to doing them. These excuses were actually conveying the idea, “I’ve got my own stuff I want to do” as they turned their backs on the inviter to do what and go where they wished. Personal possessions and relationships were associated with the excuses and they were polite in saying “PLEASE”, but the focus was on PLEASING self rather than PLEASING God.

Many today are still rushing on in life going about their own interests! Are we also guilty of trudging on with our own stuff while showing little interest in the kingdom of God? Do we recognize the privileges we have been invited to enjoy and of which service we can take part? To politely excuse ourselves does not mean we have been excused. Sometimes the appropriate response can be, “There is no excuse for you!”

It is not to be about PLEASING ourselves. ( Romans 15:1) God has been PLEASED to reveal His Son (i.e. Galatians 1:16) and we are to learn to discern what is PLEASING to the Lord. ( Ephesians 5:10) It is okay to excuse ourselves from our own stuff and the things of this world in order to accept the invitation of God. In fact it is the necessary thing if we are going to live lives PLEASING to Him. May we grant Him that courtesy in view of His gracious invitation!

Have a great day REMAINING HIS INVITED GUEST!
Carl

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