"The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king
who gave a wedding banquet for his son.
He sent his slaves to call those who had been
invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come."
(From Mt: 22:1-14)
My Niece's wedding was a glorious event held in an outdoor venue with the reception in a decorated, refurbished barn.
Dressed in a flowing white gown, she and her fiance' exchanged self-written vows becoming husband and wife.
Following dinner, tables were moved aside starting the high-volume, high-energy dancing of young people.
Watching people 50 years younger than me do an unrecognizable dance including light sticks is beyond description.
As I read the parable of the Wedding Banquet, the similarities were immediately recognizable.
Invitations to my Niece's wedding and the one in the parable's Kingdom banquet were sent out in either RSVP or personal invitation.
I have no idea, though, how many people responded to her invitation. with a "Sorry, can't make it" RSVP.
The king, though, gets "Sorry, can't make it" responses so he sends messengers to invite again because the banquet is ready.
The messengers come back with "Sorry, we don't have time. We have better things to do" responses.
The banquets' ready the king sends messengers into the main street to invite anyone but the messengers are mocked and killed.
The outraged king sends his messengers into the streets to get anyone, good or bad, filling the banquet hall.
I am impressed by two aspects of God Jesus revealed in this parable.
First, Jesus implies, dining invitations to God's heavenly banquet are constantly sent.
God, Jesus implies, invites and invites and invites.
Second, dining invitations to God's heavenly banquet, means you are worthy of a place at the table.
With God's dining invitations finally based on justice, you may be seated next to someone you consider "bad" but God has decided is "worthy".
God's dining invitation says that no matter what you may think or feel, there is a place for you at the table.
Think about it: Comparing the different two dining stories, where do you see God's Grace?
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