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Isaiah 25:6-10A; Philippians 4:12-14, 19-20; Matthew 22:1-14
Fr Nelson Lobo OFM Cap
Introduction: The eastern weddings were several days long and were a highlight of social activity, the banquet was the climax of the festivities, royal weddings lasted for several weeks and the banquet was the key social event of the decade, invitations were made well in advance and people would boast about the invitation. A wedding feast was the highlight of all social life. And a wedding feast that a king prepared for his son would be the “mother of all feasts”. This was the ultimate party. Now in that place and time, there was a two-stage process of being invited to a wedding. The invitation was actually sent out well in advance of the banquet and everyone sent back their RSVP. Then, those who had said “yes” received a courtesy reminder on the day of the banquet itself. So, the king sent out his servants to tell everyone to come join the party, but those who had been invited wouldn’t come. And you know how the king felt, don’t you? We’ve all had that happen to us at some time or another. You spend hours and hours getting everything ready. You work hard and you’re excited about what you’ve got planned. The big day comes. But very few turn up. You know how it feels. You want to cry. It makes you angry and frustrated. You know how the king in this parable felt.
Story: Several years ago Nicole Contos was scheduled to be married in a Manhattan church. She showed up. 250 invited guests showed up, but the groom didn’t. So, there she was with a $100,000 reception and no wedding. What did she do? She did the only thing she could do. She said, “The food is ready, the drink is ready. We’re gonna have a party. And she did.” Ms. Contos, 27, changed from her wedding gown into a black dress and turned what had been planned as her wedding reception into a party. Her brother gave a toast, and she danced to the disco hit ”I Will Survive.” (For a Jilted Bride, No Wedding Bell Blues by James Barron, Nov. 25, 1997)
Reflection: That’s what the king does here in this parable. He says, “The food is ready. The drink is ready. We’re gonna have a party.” And he did. He invited everybody. Anybody who wanted to come was welcome to enjoy the feast — good and bad. When the respectable folks refused, he invited the disreputable and despised. The banquet hall was filled with people.
The king in this parable obviously is God, and the invited guests were his chosen people, the Jews, who had already been called by him. The servants God sent to them again and again were John the Baptist, Jesus himself, and the New Testament apostles and prophets. But John the Baptist was rejected and beheaded, Jesus was rejected and crucified, and the apostles and prophets were rejected and persecuted, many being put to death. When the Jews rejected the kingdom, the invitation was then extended to anyone and everyone who wanted to come. In Acts 13:46, Paul and Barnabas said to the Jews of Antioch, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.” And that’s exactly what they did.
The king came in to see how the banquet was going, and he spotted someone without a wedding garment and he was furious. Commentators tell us that in that day and time the king supplied the wedding garment himself. All the guests had to do was just put it on. But here was a man who didn’t even make the small effort involved in putting on the proper clothing. It’s important for us to remember that accepting an invitation means accepting the terms of the invitation. If you go for a party and the invitation card clearly mentions the dress code respect the invitation. Accepting an invitation means accepting the terms of the invitation. At first glance, it seems a small thing, but it’s not. This guy without a wedding garment thought he could come to the king’s feast on his own terms, thinking his own clothes were good enough. A lot of people want to be a part of the feast, but they don’t want to submit themselves to God’s terms.
This story teaches us (God’s workers) involved in inviting people to Lord’s banquet some important truths about inviting people to God’s party. When inviting people to the party we will experience…
- Rejection (vv. 3-7). Stubbornness. The Jewish people were the first to be invited. Christ came to this earth as a Jew. John 1:11 says that Jesus came to His own people, but His own people did not receive Him. They were so proud of their own goodness and religious heritage that they saw no need of His grace. (Rom 9:31-10:4.) It’s the same today. Invite people to the party and you’ll know rejection.
- Busy-ness. Others have been too busy to come. (vv. 4-5). “Everything is ready.” We don’t have to make ourselves ready for the party. Christ has done it all. He met every condition for our salvation. All we have to do is come. But some don’t come. Many would rather chase after the things of this life. They are indifferent. They were not concerned about the king’s desires, but only about what they thought was in their own best interests. That’s the way it is with people today. They think, “How’s that Jesus stuff going to help me in the here and now? I have kids to raise! I have a degree to earn! I have a business to run! Don’t bother me with an invitation to a party that isn’t going to happen for a long, long time – if it’s going to happen at all!” Invite people to the party and you’ll know rejection in the form of busy-ness.
- Abusiveness-Some have persecuted those who have invited them to come. (vv. 6-7). This was aimed right at the Jewish religious leaders. Prophets had been persecuted and killed for their message of repentance to the Jewish people. Telling people to repent and get ready for the party is never a popular message. And Jesus is looking into His own future here, too. He knew that a cross was coming. Invite people to God’s part there is possibility that abuse will come.
- Some will respond. (vv. 8-10)-The Jews for the most part rejected Jesus. So, God sent the good news out to the Gentiles, the non-Jews. Other people were brought in. God is calling out a people from every tribe, every tongue, and every nation. Notice who comes to the party: people both evil and good. God is making no distinction between open “sinners” and the “morally correct.” Everyone is invited. No matter who they are. The reason that some will respond is because the gospel – the good news about Jesus – has power. Romans 1:16 says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.”
Our responsibility as you can see it in verse 9 is to go, to find and teach them to dress rightly.
To go-Wherever people are, that’s where we are to go. We don’t wait for people to come to us. We go to them. “Go.” Sounds like the great commission, doesn’t it? Matthew 28:19 says, ” Go into all the world and preach the gospel.” That command is for every disciple. Are you doing something to obey that command from Jesus?
To find-Find the people who will come. Don’t give up! Don’t call yourself a passionate follower of Jesus unless you are seeking to find the lost! People will come if we just looking for the responsive ones. My responsibility is to go and to find.
To dress rightly. (vv. 11-12) You might be wondering, “How could the king expect these people from the byways and highways to come properly dressed? They had been rounded up from everywhere. Many had come from the streets. But think with me. If we want to be dressed for this heavenly party we must put on some new clothes. Isaiah 64:4 says that all of our righteousness is as filthy rags. But God knows we need forgiveness and a righteousness that isn’t our own. He provides it. When Christ died on the cross, He took our sin, our rebellion, our dirt and gave us His holiness, His submission, His clean-ness. The old hymn says, “What can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus!” To be dressed rightly means that we are covered by His blood! When that happens, it’s joy! we’re ready for the wedding! It’s party time! Listen to Isaiah 61:10. “I will rejoice greatly in the Lord, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness.” When we are covered by His blood, we are made righteous in God’s sight. 2 Cor 5:21 says, “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin in our behalf so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
Conclusion-As we prepare ourselves to be part of God’s banquet let’s not forget to invite our family, our friends and relatives to God’s party.
