Coming to Jesus

Luke 14:23
(23)  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.

(23)  καὶ εἶπεν ὁ κύριος πρὸς τὸν δοῦλον, Ἔξελθε εἰς τὰς ὁδοὺς καὶ φραγμοὺς καὶ ἀνάγκασον εἰσελθεῖν, ἵνα γεμισθῇ μου ὁ οἶκος·

This is part of the parable of the feast.  The first invited guests all had excuses why they couldn't come.  Therefore, the master gave this order to his servant.  What I find interesting is the word "compel."  

This is the word ἀνάγκασον.  Here it is in the imperative as the master commands the servant.  Thayer gives the definition "to necessitate, compel, drive to, constrain."  In other words, these people would come against their will.

Isn't that how it is for those of us who follow Jesus?  I was effectively pulled kicking and screaming.  I didn't want to leave my former life, but I ran out of arguments.  I couldn't say no anymore.  How could I deny the truth of the gospel?  That's what it really came down to.

The fact is that we are dead in our sins.  Dead men cannot make decisions.  Dead men cannot choose to stop being dead.  It takes something supernatural to breathe life into the dead.  That's what happens when we come to know Jesus.  We are compelled to enter the feast.

Where are you?  Are you still fighting?  I can tell you that there can be some serious collateral damage when the servant comes to drag you to the feast.  Haven't you fought enough?  Drop your guard and accept His invitation to the feast.