Are You Coming?

Matthew 22:1-3 New International Version (NIV)

The Parable of the Wedding Banquet

22 Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: 2 “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. 3 He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come. Mon. September 21 - Matthew 22:1-3 Over the last decade two British princes have been married. I didn’t get invited to those weddings. Did you? Most likely not. Other members of the British royal family were invited, as well as other heads of state, like the U.S. president, the German chancellor and the British prime minister. Celebrities and business executives were also invited, like Sir Paul McCartney and Sir Richard Branson. But what if every single one of those dignitaries, politicians, and celebrities refuse the invite? That would be pretty shocking. They might have important things going on in their lives, but you would think that they would be honored to attend a royal wedding! The contrast Jesus is creating in this parable is between what God is doing for us and what we are doing, either for God or for ourselves. Jesus is not condemning us for not putting God first. The issue he is confronting over and over again is how we reject the simple, plain, free invitation of God to join his party! You are invited to God’s feast. No strings attached. You don’t even have to bring a side dish!