Read Matthew 22.1-14
http://www.biblegateway.com/
"...invite into the wedding feast as many as you find."
Yet another parable told by Jesus on the Temple grounds about unfaithful and wicked servants,
Tenants and caretakers who are found unworthy of their master's calling. Yet another picture of
Kingdom boundaries - some are in and some are out. And yet tucked into this parable is a word
of hope, as the king sends his servants out into the roads to invite everyone they meet into the feast.
Perhaps as much a word of prodigality as it is hope, this part of the vignette is intended to show the
abundant grace of God, who will invite all to participate in the joy of His presence. We are told in
Scripture that God does not wish that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance (2 Peter 3.9).
When the king in Jesus' story does in his wicked subjects, he quickly turns his attention to others
Tenants and caretakers who are found unworthy of their master's calling. Yet another picture of
Kingdom boundaries - some are in and some are out. And yet tucked into this parable is a word
of hope, as the king sends his servants out into the roads to invite everyone they meet into the feast.
Perhaps as much a word of prodigality as it is hope, this part of the vignette is intended to show the
abundant grace of God, who will invite all to participate in the joy of His presence. We are told in
Scripture that God does not wish that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance (2 Peter 3.9).
When the king in Jesus' story does in his wicked subjects, he quickly turns his attention to others
to whom he can extend the gracious invitation to share in the wedding banquet.
And so the servants invite as many as they find - both good and bad, so the story goes. And there
are some who accept the king's invitation who are not prepared to sit down and eat - they do not have
the proper garment. We are not told why - simply that they are not prepared. This resonates with our
Advent theme of preparation - be ready!
So we have accepted the king's invitation, the Lord's invitation to follow Him. We know that our God is
gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness, and yet that he demands justice for the
ways in which we have disobeyed. As we await the coming King, we give thanks with great joy that He
who comes is the very One who gives us the garment of righteousness, through our faith in Him, so
that we may sit down and enjoy the abundance of God's feast.
Today, prepare for the coming of the Lord by giving gratitude to God that he has invited you into his
family, and that he has adopted you as a son or daughter. Rejoice that you are washed by the sacrifice
of Jesus Christ, and that through Him you are a worthy guest.
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