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8. IF JESUS LIVED TODAY HOW WOULD HE HANDLE OPPORTUNITY
(Luke 14:17-24; Rom. 13:11-12) (Delivered 4-24-02)

Once a family visited the ocean for the first time. Everyone
enjoyed swimming and playing in the waves except the youngest
boy. No one could persuade him to touch the water. Finally, on
the last day, just before they left he ventured in. It was
wonderful! He loved it, but, unfortunately it was time to go.
"Oh, Mom!" he wailed. "Why didn't you make me go in before?"

Well, sometimes we miss opportunities until it's too late.
That's partly because opportunities aren't always labeled as
"Opportunities." Sometimes they are viewed as obstacles or
challenges. It's important to recognize and take advantage of
our opportunities.

Jesus used a common social occasion to teach a life lesson. In
those days, rich people and rulers often had banquets. They
were planned to celebrate births or weddings or victories. It
was a great honor to receive an invitation to such an event.
But, as usual, Jesus gave this story a strange twist. The
Scriptures say, "A king . . . prepared a wedding banquet for his
son. He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the
banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come"
(Matt.22:2-3).

The host couldn't believe this unreasonable response, so he
tried again, adding details about the lavish meal and
preparations. The Scripture says, "Then he sent some more
servants and said, `Tell those who have been invited that I have
prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been
butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet'
" (Matt. 22:4).

Again, his gracious invitation was utterly ignored. In fact,
some became downright rude and even violent. The Scriptures
say, "They paid no attention and went off--one to his field,
another to his business. The rest seized his servants,
mistreated them and killed them" (Matt. 22:5-6).

"The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those
murderers and burned their city. Then he said to his servants,
`The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not
deserve to come" (Matt. 22:7-8).

We can't really blame the king for his reaction. Those who
neglected this once in a lifetime opportunity didn't deserve to
be entertained.

The king's next act is surprising. He said, "Go to the street
corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.' So the
servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people
they could find, both good and bad, and the wedding hall was
filled with guests" (Matt. 22:9-10).

In another similar story, Jesus enumerates the silly excuses
given by those who were invited. He says, "But they all alike
began to make excuses. The first one said to him, 'I have bought
a piece of land and I need to go out and look at it; please
consider me excused.' And another one said, 'I have bought five
yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out; please consider me
excused.' And another one said, 'I have married a wife, and for
that reason I cannot come.' " (Luke 14:18-20).

Again the host replaced the ungrateful ones with others who were
more appreciative. The Scriptures say, "And the slave came back
and reported this to his master. Then the head of the household
became angry and said to his slave, 'Go out at once into the
streets and lanes of the city and bring in here the poor and
crippled and blind and lame.' And the slave said, 'Master, what
you commanded has been done, and still there is room.' And the
master said to the slave, 'Go out into the highways and along
the hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be
filled. For I tell you, none of those men who were invited
shall taste of my dinner.' " (Luke 14:21-24).

Why do you suppose Jesus chose this subject for discussion?
What lessons can we learn from this parable? What point was he
making about opportunity?

I. FIRST, WHEN OPPORTUNITIES ARE OFFERED, WE MUST RECOGNIZE
THEM.

Jesus was trying to give a message of hope and a generous offer
of grace to the religious Jews; but they did not recognize its
importance and refused to listen. When we refuse to listen, we
may be missing out on a great experience. We may be rejecting a
wonderful gift. We may regret our decision for the rest of our
lives. Felix had a wonderful opportunity when Paul witnessed to
him and his wife; but he didn't respond. The Scripture says,
"As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the
judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, 'That's enough for
now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for
you' " (Acts 24:25).

As far as we know Felix never had another chance. We may not
have a second chance. They say, "Opportunity only knocks once."
That's not always true; but sometimes it is. We need to
rearrange our priorities and do the most important things first.
Paul said, "As we have opportunity, let us do good to all people
. . ." (Gal. 6:10).

II. NEXT, WHEN OPPORTUNITIES ARE OFFERED, WE MUST APPRECIATE
THEM.

To do this, we must get our priorities straight. We must make
wise decisions. We must avoid excuses. Excuses are not logical
reasons. Alexander Pope said, "An excuse is worse than a lie.
For an excuse is a lie in disguise."

In Jesus' story, the excuses given were ridiculous. If the man
had already bought the land, it was a little late to go inspect
it. If the man had already bought the oxen, it was a little
late to be trying them out. And the man who had just married
could have used this wonderful occasion as a honeymoon. No,
these weren't reasons. They were very lame excuses. Nothing
can justify our poor choices. Jesus said, "Seek first his
kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be
given to you as well" (Matt. 6:33).

III. FINALLY, WHEN OPPORTUNITIES ARE OFFERED, WE MUST TAKE
ADVANTAGE OF THEM.

We must not delay, because some opportunities have short time
limits. The door may close. The offer may be withdrawn. The
possibility will not be available forever. In the story of the
5 foolish virgins, Jesus showed the danger of delaying
preparation. "The foolish ones took their lamps but did not
take any oil with them." (Matt. 25:3).

Later, the Bridegroom came and those unprepared girls were left
behind. He said, "But while they were on their way to buy the
oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in
with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. Later
the others also came. `Sir! Sir!' they said. `Open the door for
us!' But he replied, `I tell you the truth, I don't know you'
" (Matt. 25:10-12).

These girls missed their opportunity. When they were finally
ready, it was too late. In the Banquet Parable, Jesus was
telling the Jews that God's will won't be frustrated. Jesus
said, "The kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given
to a people who will produce its fruit" (Matt. 21:43).

Likewise, we're not indispensable. Others can take our place!

Now, what if this were today? If Jesus told a modern story,
would he use the example of a once in a lifetime invitation to a
dinner at the White House? Would he describe a fabulous job
offer from a great organization? Would he tell of a man being
asked to take a coveted cabinet post in the government?

What kind of excuses would modern men and women give? Well, we
hear them all the time: "I've got to make a living"; "I'm too
busy"; "Let George do it"' "I might do it later," and on and on.
Benjamin Franklin said, "He that's good at making excuses is
seldom good for anything else."

Of course we don't know the specific details Jesus would
describe. Even though he would use different examples if he
lived in America today instead of in Palestine 2000 years ago,
his general attitude regarding opportunities would still be the
same.

1. FIRST, HE WOULD ADVISE US TO RECOGNIZE OUR OPPORTUNITIES.

They often come in disguise. Opportunities may look like work
or challenges or even problems. We must be sensitive to the
real needs around us and aware of the important places of
service. Of course, responding to an opportunity may cost us
something. We'll probably have to give up other interests and
pleasures. We can't do everything. Our time and energy and
resources are limited. That's why making decisions is so hard.
Many people make the wrong choices, but Jesus said when we see
something of value we must sometimes sacrifice to obtain it. He
gave this example, "The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant
looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he
went away and sold everything he had and bought it" (Matt.
13:45-46).

2. NEXT, JESUS WOULD ADVISE US TO APPRECIATE OUR OPPORTUNITIES.

We're fortunate to have so many choices as to occupations and
leisure activities and church attendance. We take too many
things for granted. We expect to always have numerous options
and possibilities. We think we'll always be able to earn a
living. We think we'll always be able to buy what we please. We
think we'll always be able to enjoy recreation. We think we'll
always be able to worship as we choose. We think we'll always
be able to follow Jesus; but these circumstances could change
overnight.

The Lord said, "My Spirit will not contend with man forever. .
." (Gen. 6:3).

Besides, once we start making excuses it gets easier and easier
to avoid responsibility. In the story, at first the invited
guests merely refused. Next, they were rude, and then they were
violent.

3. FINALLY, JESUS WOULD ADVISE US TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR
OPPORTUNITIES.

J.T. Bolding wrote:

Waste not the opportunities
That come to you from day to day.
Just make the most of everyone,
For you'll not pass again this way.

This parable reminds us that if we don't take advantage of
opportunities, we'll lose them. The Scriptures say, "When
disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and
trouble overwhelm you; then they will call to me but I will not
answer; they will look for me but will not find me" (Prov.
1:27-28).

The writer of Hebrews said, "Today, if you hear his voice, do
not harden your hearts" (Heb. 3:15).

Now, if we're to take the Gospel seriously, what does this mean
for us? Remember the Scripture says, "Whoever claims to live in
him must walk as Jesus did" (I John 2:6).

If Jesus lived today, he would use every opportunity for
service. Too many of us miss or ignore our opportunities.
According to legend, in 78 A.D. a very old man was sitting in
his hut outside the city of Bethlehem. A boy came running up
and said, "Ismael, Ismael, I just heard that you were one of the
shepherds on the hill many years ago when Jesus was born. Tell
me what did the baby look like?" The old man ran his fingers
through his straggly, white beard. His eyes misted. His lips
trembled and he answered, "Yes, I was with those shepherds. I
did hear about a baby, but I was so busy taking care of the
sheep, I didn't bother to go. I never had another chance to see
him."

Do you recognize opportunities for growth in emotional,
intellectual and spiritual areas? Jesus did!

Do you appreciate opportunities for growth and service even if
they require some effort or sacrifice? Jesus did!

Do you take advantage of opportunities for growth or service
rather than making excuses to avoid them? Jesus did!

Josh Billings said, "Real opportunities are rare and those who
know how to seize them are rarer."

Is there some opportunity you need to take advantage of today?

"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up
his cross daily and follow me" (Luke 9:23)

***

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