How’s Your Drive?
Luk 14:16 Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:
Luk 14:17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.
Luk 14:18 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.
Luk 14:19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.
Luk 14:20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.
Albert Barnes:
Our Saviour here (in verse 20) doubtless intends to teach us that the love of earthly relatives and friends often takes off the affections from God, and prevents our accepting the blessings which he would bestow on us. This was the most trifling excuse of all; and we cannot but be amazed that “such” excuses are suffered to interfere with our salvation, and that people can be satisfied for “such” reasons to exclude themselves from the kingdom of God.
My Thoughts:
When I first read how Barnes described this excuse (verse 20) as ''the most trifling excuse of all'' I was somewhat taken back by what he had said. However, upon a closer examination of the explanation behind his statement I have to agree with him. One of the most detrimental and vile things that separate many from the love of God and, more generally, the kingdom of God is the love of the world. This present evil world is a very serious place to live in. Adam Clarke makes comments in another place stating that possibly the # 1 risk of an individual losing their soul is based solely on loving the things of this world.
Clarke lists as the number # 1 worst state to lose your soul in is that of a soft, idle, voluptuous(given to the enjoyments of luxury and pleasure) life. Here a man thinks of nothing but “quietly” to enjoy life, conveniences, riches, private pleasures, and public diversions.
This is an incredibly dangerous and very serious state of mind for a person to have. For we find here that Jesus is teaching that there are no legitimate reasons on this earth to miss heaven. God is calling for us to come to him and leave everything else (and everyone else) behind. He also brings to memory now the scripture found in 1 John 2:15 "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."
What God is saying is that nothing in this world comes before him period. There are no if's, ands, or exceptions to it. There should be nothing in this world that even runs a close second in comparison to our love for God. One must understand that if anything is too close then it may at one point or another take the lead before God in some situations (such as the one described here). So we must keep this world at a distance and worn as a loose garment. We must be in it but not of it. Our affections must be truly set on things above. We sing a song from time to time entitled "I don't want nothing here to hinder me." If we love anything or any person here too much then it can be a hindrance to our making it to heaven. No thing or person on/in earth should we love “oh so much” that it would pull us off of our drive and affection for God. This is the mind frame that we must have if we expect to make heaven. When God is ready to call us home we must be ready. Ever-ready to leave and depart. There won't be any getting in order, or preparing because we should be prepared enough to go when he calls. Lord Help Me and you to have the spiritual house in order so that when its time for you and I to die we have absolutely nothing else to do!!
Young and Inspired,
Terrence L. Willis