Page 18 - August 2026 - Truth & Tidings

Introduction of spiritual blessings that God has on offer.
I promised that in this series I would Stroll through the Epistle to the Romans to
mention the main point of each parable see them set out on the table – justification
for the guilty, redemption for sin’s slaves,
before embarking on practical issues. So, salvation for those perishing without the
the parable of the great supper teaches
that the rejection of blessing offered to law, reconciliation for God’s enemies, sanc-
Israel would result in gospel benefits go- tification for people with the potential for
the filthy behavior of chapter 1.
ing out to the Gentiles. It is illustrated at
Antioch in Pisidia when the Jews judged The message was, “All things are now
themselves “unworthy of everlasting life,” ready,” and we see this in the epistle.
hence Paul’s words, “Lo, we turn to the Every expense has been fully met as ex-
Gentiles” (Act 13:46). 1 plained in multiple references to the work
The hostile atmosphere of the occasion of the cross: “The redemption that is in
helps us to arrive at this conclusion. Most Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth to
of Luke 14 is played out in the home of be a propitiation” (Rom 3:24-25); He “was
“one of the chief Pharisees” where the delivered for our offences, and was raised
Lord Jesus was under scrutiny (v1). It is again for our justification” (4:25); “Christ
possible that they had “planted” the man died for the ungodly” (5:6); “Christ died
with the dropsy as an incitement to Him for us” (5:8); “justified by his blood” (5:9);
to heal on the Sabbath and give cause for “the death of his Son” (5:10) – and so
criticism. He healed the man, but they the list goes on. We rejoice and worship,
were silenced (v6). thanking God that everything has been
As He observed the scramble for the prepared for us, for He “spared not his
best seats at the table, He criticized their own Son, but delivered him up for us
self-seeking attitude (vv7-11). Next, He all” (8:32).
challenged the host about the exclusive The Invitation
nature of the guest list (vv12-14). A
pseudo-spiritual guest remarked about Many were given invitations, with the
the blessedness of eating bread in God’s subsequent summons to “Come.” Again,
kingdom (v15). With that background Romans deals with the gospel invitation,
He told the story of the great supper, for especially in chapter 10. Yes, all things are
His fellow guests were the epitome of the ready; no one needs to ascend to heaven to
Jewish leadership which would reject Him bring Christ down; He already has come
and all the blessings that accompanied down. No one needs to descend to bring
Him. Him up from the dead; He already has
been raised (vv6-7). And now salvation
The Provision is available to all, Jew and Gentile, “for
The great supper illustrates the wealth the same Lord over all is rich unto all
that call upon him. For whosoever shall
1 Bible quotations in this article are from the call upon the name of the Lord shall be
KJV. saved” (vv12-13).

242 TRUTH kTidings August 2026