Imagine that you can give a dinner party or a banquet for as many people as you would like to, money is no object 'cos some TV company is paying.  Who would you invite?  This is fantasy so they can be living or dead, real or fictitious and the venue is big enough for as many as you might want to ask.  What menu would you serve?  Be adventurous, the wherewithall is there, and help if you need it.  What entertainment would you offer?

Now imagine the big days comes but instead of guests come emails, phone calls and texts to say that absolutely no one is coming.  Everyone, it seems has a better offer.  But the camera crew is here and the feast must happen.  Who is on your 'B' list?  Who just might come now, at the last minute?

Now imagine they either come or don't, but embarrassingly the venue looks bare, empty tables groaning under food.  The film director takes you aside, this is not going to look good, surely you can fill this venue.  So who is left to ask?  Who is it that would never make your Christmas card list, who might embrrass you by slobbering over their food or getting drunk?  Who is it who smells a bit wiffy or dresses unconventionally?  Who is speaks out of turn, lives a lifestyle that offends?  Who can be dragged in at the last to fill the hall and save your face?

And what will the end result look like?  How will you be portrayed once the editting has been completed?  How do you feel?

Now go and read Luke 14: 15 - 35.

Thanks to IBRA notes for sparking this idea