You're Invited!

READ | Matthew 22:1-14

As spring wrestles to break free from the cold weather we’ve been experiencing in the northeast and the temperatures start to rise with flowers blooming and the sun shining, we’re beginning to head into what I like to call wedding season. With all the activities surrounding the planning of any wedding one of the main responsibilities is getting the wedding invitations out in a timely fashion. But that first necessitates making your guest list.

Now for those who are being invited – you have a decision to make. Am I going to accept or decline the invitation? This brings us to the passage for the week – Matthew 22:1-14. Jesus in explaining what the kingdom of heaven is like and He expresses it in a parable of the wedding banquet. Read the parable and notice some interesting aspects to what God’s kingdom is really like.

Notice the kingdom comes with an invitation. You’re invited, I’m invited, and in fact everybody’s invited. But not everyone accepts this invitation. Matthew 22:5 tells us that those first invited “paid no attention” to the invitation. They went about their own business while the rest took the fathers servants and killed them. Some are indifferent, some are indignant. Biblical scholars will contend that this first group of invited guests represents the Jews of Jesus’ day who missed it – they didn’t get that their Messiah had come. So the king in this parable, representing our heavenly Father, extends another invitation. He invites (Matthew 22:9) “anyone you find.” This would represent the Gentiles, or everyone else as the parable expresses.

What’s interesting to understand is God doesn’t discriminate, He invites everyone. And He’s a respecter of our will. He doesn’t force anyone to come. What’s also interesting though is the peoples’ response. Some ignore the king’s invitation while others appear insulted by the king’s invitation – indicated by their murdering of the king’s servants.

This reveals a few things. First, God offers an open invitation to everyone to join the party, to join His kingdom. Second, not everyone cares about God’s kingdom party. And third, there are consequences to what people do with the King’s invitation. Friends, if you’ve already accepted His invitation, you’re responsible as His servants to invite people into the kingdom celebration. If you haven’t already accepted His invitation, God wants you to know there are consequences that come with our choices. So what’s it gonna be? Celebration or consequences? I’ll choose celebration everyday!!

If you have questions about accepting the kingdom invitation, talk to a close friend who’s already accepted God’s invite or call the Hope offices. We’d love to talk with you – God Bless!!