The Great Banquet
The café church service, on Sundays in St George’s Tron, always gives a great opportunity for community building. In the city centre, since the congregation all come from different places, it’s an important time to be dedicated for people to get to know one another. Lifelong friendships are made… and there have even been some weddings!
In lots of neighbourhood churches, it is normal for most people in the congregation to have a similar social background, but it is different here. Over the past few years, the diversity of the city centre has been increasingly reflected in the congregation.
The Parable of the Great Banquet
When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.”
Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’
“But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’
“Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’
“Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’
“The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’
“‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’
“Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full. I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’”
Luke 14:15-24 (NIVUK)
Downloads
Explore this painting in more detail with our free PDF including colour-in section.
The Great Banquet: Painting Handout Download
This study considers both the Biblical text and the painting on which it is based, encouraging participants to think about how to apply the Biblical text to their context.
The Great Banquet: Bible Study Download
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The Portrait Gospel
The Gospel of Luke uniquely illustrated by Iain Campbell
The Portrait Gospel is uniquely illustrated by Iain Campbell. By using modern day Glaswegians as his models, Iain’s compelling paintings bring 21st century life to the words of a first century disciple.
Copies of The Portrait Gospel are available to buy in person from St George’s Tron Church, Glasgow.
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