June 9, 2026 · David Farmer
Brides and Cows, Bless Me Now
“When one of those who reclined at table with him heard these things, he said to him, “Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!” But he said to him, “A man once gave a great banquet and invited many. And at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ 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.’ And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’ So the servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.’ And the servant said, ‘Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.’ And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.’””
Luke 14:15-24 →
## Blessing Now
So we’re still at the Pharisee party, and the next man to speak to up to Jesus hasn’t heard a word He’s said. “Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the Kingdom of God!” It seems this man is trying to point out to Jesus, “Those who are blessed? It’s plain to see they’re on their way to heaven. They have God’s favor.” (I impose this meaning due to verb tenses and Jesus’ reply.) The false gospel of ultra-blessing NOW floats around the Church. In Africa, some of the small country pastors said many of the big city churches preach this doctrine. They knew it was false too. Tell it to drought stricken tribes roaming wide expanses with their cattle looking for a little green patch. Tell it to the homeless believer in the American metropolis. Tell it to Paul sitting in prison again. Tell it
Peter inverted on a cross. Or simply tell it to Jesus, the homeless Messiah. God does bless, but He also allows hardship and trial. He can bring us closer to Him in sickness than in a mansion. “And at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.” Yet when God actually tries to give us what we boldly say is ours, people step back from it. “But they all alike began to make excuses.”
## Land, Livestock, and Love Life
So what kept these people from going when the master called? The same things that keep us from going when the Master calls. “Land” and “livestock” can be summed up as wealth. Sometimes we let all the stuff God has blessed us with separate us from Him. “Love life” encompasses the wife, which may soon bring kids, which that man will place over everything else. Many women love their husband above all things...until he gives her kids; then he’s second place. This may sound harsh, but just keep on reading in Luke 14...
## Jesus demands first place!
## Self-Check
Have you placed His blessings on you above Him?
## A Stroll in the Park