In the biblical context, entertainments and feasts often serve as significant events where spiritual truths are communicated, relationships are deepened, and divine purposes are revealed. The Master, Jesus Christ, frequently extended personal invitations to such gatherings, using them as opportunities to teach, heal, and demonstrate the kingdom of God.

Feasts and Fellowship

Throughout the Gospels, Jesus is depicted as participating in various feasts and social gatherings. These events were not merely social occasions but were imbued with spiritual significance. For instance, in the Gospel of Luke, Jesus attends a banquet at the house of Levi, a tax collector. Here, He uses the opportunity to teach about repentance and the joy in heaven over one sinner who repents (Luke 5:29-32).

The Wedding at Cana

One of the most notable instances of Jesus' presence at a social event is the wedding at Cana, where He performed His first recorded miracle. By turning water into wine, Jesus not only demonstrated His divine power but also blessed the institution of marriage and the joy of communal celebration (John 2:1-11). This miracle signifies the abundance and transformation that Jesus brings into the lives of those who accept His invitation.

Parables of the Banquet

Jesus often used the imagery of banquets and feasts in His parables to illustrate the kingdom of God. In the Parable of the Great Banquet, found in Luke 14:15-24, Jesus describes a master who invites many guests to a great feast. When the invited guests make excuses and refuse to come, the master extends the invitation to the poor, crippled, blind, and lame. This parable highlights the inclusivity of God's kingdom and the importance of responding to His invitation.

The Last Supper

The Last Supper is perhaps the most profound example of Jesus personally inviting His disciples to a meal. During this Passover feast, Jesus institutes the Lord's Supper, offering bread and wine as symbols of His body and blood, which would be given for the salvation of many (Matthew 26:26-28). This event underscores the sacrificial love of Christ and the new covenant established through His death and resurrection.

Post-Resurrection Appearances

After His resurrection, Jesus continues to invite His disciples to share meals with Him, reinforcing His physical resurrection and ongoing fellowship with them. In John 21:12-13, Jesus invites His disciples to breakfast by the Sea of Galilee, where He provides bread and fish. This encounter reaffirms His care and provision for His followers and restores Peter to his role as a leader among the disciples.

Conclusion

In summary, the entertainments and invitations extended by Jesus in the Gospels are rich with theological and spiritual meaning. They reveal His desire for fellowship with humanity, His power to transform lives, and His invitation to partake in the eternal banquet of the kingdom of God. Through these events, believers are reminded of the joy and abundance found in accepting the Master's invitation.2 Samuel 13:24
And Absalom came to the king, and said, Behold now, your servant has sheep shearers; let the king, I beseech you, and his servants go with your servant.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Esther 5:4
And Esther answered, If it seem good to the king, let the king and Haman come this day to the banquet that I have prepared for him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Zephaniah 1:7
Hold your peace at the presence of the Lord GOD: for the day of the LORD is at hand: for the LORD has prepared a sacrifice, he has bid his guests.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 7:36
And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Gospel Supper
... disciples, to comply with the like invitations, and converse ... as to be kept thereby
from spiritual entertainments. ... For, though we have been often feasted, yet ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/the gospel supper.htm

Seven "I Wills" of Christ.
... princes of this world, when they issue invitations, call round ... Often a man can be
far more useful in a ... them getting up all kinds of entertainments with which ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/the overcoming life/seven i wills of christ.htm

Jeremy Taylor -- Christ's Advent to Judgment
... and assistances, those bonds and invitations, those constrainings ... words and perfect
entertainments; He threatened ... watchfulness, and their often infirmities by ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons vol 2/jeremy taylor christs advent.htm

Entertainment and Worldview ' Article Index | GotQuestions.org

Should a Christian play multi-player fantasy games like Dungeons and Dragons? | GotQuestions.org

How should Christians view Disney? | GotQuestions.org

Entertainment: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus