Matthew 22:1-14
Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying: ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come. Again he sent other slaves, saying, “Tell those who have been invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.” But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his slaves, maltreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then he said to his slaves, “The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.” Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests.
‘But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing a wedding robe, and he said to him, “Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?” And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, “Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” For many are called, but few are chosen.’
Reflection
What? All of these people invited don't even have the time to come because of something else? What? They even disrespected and killed the messengers! What? So the king sends in the army and destroys the city! What!
So the king finds the guests to attend the wedding banquet. And then... and then... just because one of them doesn't have a wedding robe on, he is tossed out into the darkness. What?
How many people have been invited to and exposed to the grace of God through the coming of God to this world in Jesus? How many people have seen the action and results of the joy of the Holy Spirit on this earth? How many messages have been sent out by God and through so many of God's disciples about the grace of God in the coming, the life, the ministry, the suffering, the death and the resurrection of Jesus? How many people have been invited to this day? How many people know of the invitation to believe. Even faith is given and hope is supplied by God. All we have is from God and God even comes to us to save us and provide for us eternal life if only we believe in God and give all of our trust in what God has done for us in Christ Jesus, to God. Sounds like an invitation to a wedding banquet to me!
What we don't know and don't see in this parable is that it was customary for the wedding party host to provide the wedding robe for the guests. Well, just as God has done everything for us... even save us... this guest without a robe could have put on the robe provided! The guest should have been overwhelmed with joy to even be at this feast! At one time this guest wasn't even invited to the feast until so many had turned down the king. So why not wear the robe?
Sounds like a warning to me. God's grace is so amazing, just the knowledge that I and you have been given an invitation to the feast is wonderful enough. This invitation and our attendance to the feast of grace in itself is more than enough to cause anyone to dance and celebrate with eternal joy in the presence of the King... God... the Savior... the Holy Spirit in awesome joy!
So, consider the invitation before you. Will you come to the feast of God our King through the grace and love God has for all people? Will you wear the robe of grace that God freely provides and dance? Why NOT!!!
If not... consider the alternative... Come to the feast and dance in joy wearing the wedding robe of grace!
Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYuYojyDwN4
Prayer
Lord, you gave it all to invite all creation and all people to the feast of all time. May I or anyone else not turn down this invitation to the source of your love. As your messengers may we boldly go and invite those on the streets and in the alleys to see and witness the feast of your grace and love... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen
No comments:
Post a Comment