Matthew 22:1-14 (NRSV)
Read Matthew 22:1-14 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 22Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying: Verse 2"The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. Verse 3He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come. Verse 4Again he sent other slaves, saying, 'Tell those who have been invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.' Verse 5But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, Verse 6while the rest seized his slaves, mistreated them, and killed them. Verse 7The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Verse 8Then he said to his slaves, 'The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Verse 9Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.' Verse 10Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests. Verse 11"But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing a wedding robe, Verse 12and he said to him, 'Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?' And he was speechless. Verse 13Then the king said to the attendants, 'Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' Verse 14For many are called, but few are chosen."
Devotion
Wow—what an unhappy parable. One, I must say, I'd just as soon overlook...what with all the murder, weeping and gnashing of teeth going on. So, what are we to make of all this? A king hosts a banquet, and no one comes. The invitees make excuses rather than feel privileged. The king fills the halls with guests, but one poor soul comes without the proper attire and is cast out to a place that sure sounds like hell!
Or is it really so unhappy? We have been invited to a banquet, folks. And God is the host, so you know it's gotta' be a great one. Not at some future date, but right here, right now. This is one you are not going to want to miss! Choose your outfit carefully. Put on Christ's love with joy and humility and come on! Let's party!
Prayer
Amazing and loving God, great host of the banquet that has no end, you have prepared a table before us that groans with the evidence of your goodness. You have sent out the invitations. Grant us an extravagant desire to be well dressed for that feast and fully present for a life lived as your guests. Amen.