The Invitation

Matthew 22:1 And Jesus answered and spoke to them again by parables and said: 2 "The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son, 3 and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they were not willing to come. 4 Again, he sent out other servants, saying, 'Tell those who are invited, "See, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding." ' 5 But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business. 6 And the rest seized his servants, treated them spitefully, and killed them. 7 But when the king heard about it, he was furious. And he sent out his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. 8 Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. 9 Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding.' 10 So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good. And the wedding hall was filled with guests. 11 But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. 12 So he said to him, 'Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?' And he was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' 14 For many are called, but few are chosen."

Jesus next tells a parable involving a wedding invitation.

God’s invitations are different than man’s.

In many cases, when we send an invitation, it is in reality the solicitation of a gift, (according to our culture.) Now, while this may sound a bit crass, it is also true. Very cultured, though.

The receipt of an invitation to a wedding, or a graduation, tells us we are known, we are loved, we are accepted, we are invited to attend, and…we are also invited to go somewhere and pick something up to bring with us or send in the mail. A check will do nicely.

SOMETIMES, the invitation is accompanied by directions about where we may shop to purchase what the one who sent the invitation desires to receive. When we get to the store, we are invited to consult a registry containing ONLY those things which are desired to be received. Very practical. Very congenial. Very cultured.

It keeps the one sending the invitation from having to return the gift you are expected to provide, because you brought with you something they did not need or desire. That would be terrible.

When God offers an invitation, it is all on Him to provide all the characteristics of what the invitation entails. All He desires is you. He even gives you all the gifts He desires to receive, according to the invitation.

And God does not distinguish. He invites everyone. He desires all to come to His ‘Wedding Party,’ and He welcomes all those who will come. He only requires you come according to His “dress code.” In this case, the clothing choice is not merely symbolic – it is a revelation of the condition of the heart of the one responding to His invitation. Will you come? Will you come according to His design?

-Pastor Bill