Tertullian — Against Marcion 31
What kind of persons does He bid should be invited to a dinner or a supper? Luke 14:12-14 Precisely such as he had pointed out by Isaiah: Deal your bread to the hungry man; and the beggars — even such as have no home — bring in to your house, Isaiah 58:7 because, no doubt , they are unable to recompense your act of humanity. Now, since Christ forbids the recompense to be expected now, but promises it at the resurrection, this is the very plan of the Creator, who dislikes those who love gifts and follow after reward. Consider also to which deity is better suited the parable of him who issued invitations: A certain man made a great supper, and bade many. Luke 14:16 The preparation for the supper is no doubt a figure of the abundant provision of eternal life.
I first remark, that strangers, and persons unconnected by ties of relationship, are not usually invited to a supper; but that members of the household and family are more frequently the favoured guests. To the Creator, then, it belonged to give the invitation, to whom also appertained those who were to be invited — whether considered as men , through their descent from Adam, or as Jews , by reason of their fathers; not to him who possessed no claim to them either by nature or prerogative. My next remark is, if He issues the invitations who has prepared the supper, then, in this sense the supper is the Creator's, who sent to warn the guests. These had been indeed previously invited by the fathers, but were to be admonished by the prophets .
It certainly is not the feast of him who never sent a messenger to warn — who never did a thing before towards issuing an invitation, but came down himself on a sudden — only then beginning to be known , when already giving his invitation; only then inviting, when already compelling to his banquet; appointing one and the same hour both for the supper and the invitation. But when invited, they excuse themselves. Luke 14:18 And fairly enough, if the invitation came from the other god, because it was so sudden; if, however, the excuse was not a fair one, then the invitation was not a sudden one. Now, if the invitation was not a sudden one, it must have been given by the Creator — even by Him of old time, whose call they had at last refused.
They first refused it when they said to Aaron , Make us gods, which shall go before us; Exodus 32:1 and again, afterwards, when they heard indeed with the ear, but did not understand Isaiah 6:10 their calling of God . In a manner most germane to this parable , He said by Jeremiah: Obey my voice, and I will be your God , and you shall be my people; and you shall walk in all my ways, which I have commanded you. Jeremiah 7:23 This is the invitation of God . But, says He, they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear. Jeremiah 7:24 This is the refusal of the people. They departed, and walked every one in the imagination of their evil heart. Jeremiah 11:8 I have bought a field — and I have bought some oxen — and I have married a wife.