Did You Get Your Invitation?

The Parable of the Wedding Feast

Matthew 22:1-14

Jesus told the priests and Pharisees another parable about the kingdom of heaven.

There was a certain king who planned a royal wedding for his son. A prince’s wedding would have been the event of the century. In those days, the actual time of the event was not generally announced until after everything at the palace was prepared and ready for their guests. Servants were sent to tell the guests it was time, but the invitations were declined. Why anyone would refuse to attend this monumental event after receiving a personal invitation is beyond logic. That same illogic is used when people reject the monumental event of salvation offered by Jesus, the Christ.

The king sent out other servants to tell those invited that the tables were set, the barbecue was smokin’, and the band was tuned up. “Please, come celebrate my son’s wedding with me.” The guests never took the king seriously. They had much more important things to do with their time. Some of the invited punctuated their rejection by abusing and killing the king’s messengers. When the king heard what these fools did, he ordered his armies to track the murderers down and kill them. No survivors!

The king then explains to his servants that the ones on the initial guest list were unsuitable. Their hearts weren’t right. Clues to the Kingdom: It’s all about the heart. Regardless, the king declared that the wedding was going to take place. He was not going to have an empty wedding hall. The deposit was non-refundable! “Go out now, my servants, and invite everyone you see to my son’s wedding. Tell them, ‘Come one, come all!’” So, they went out and brought in whoever they saw from wherever they were to the king’s royal wedding. The palace was Standing Room Only!

With the trumpets' fanfare, the king made his regal entrance to the joyous festivities. He wanted to welcome all of his new guests to his fabulous party. His eye immediately fell on one of the guests He knew didn’t belong. Maybe it was the way he was shabbily dressed; perhaps it was something about his indifferent attitude. This guy didn’t deserve to be here at the feast, like a kazoo in the Philharmonic!

The king asked him what his reason was for being here. The man had no answer. His lack of interest in the festivities spoke volumes. The king told his guards to tie the man up and throw him out! An automatic restraining order will be issued. Persona non grata! The king let it be known throughout the land: “Many are called, but few are chosen.”

Some invitations are sent but thrown away. Others were invited, but they were not worthy of selection. Check your mailbox. Did you get yours?

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