We’re all invited to the party

Kia ora whānau,

This week we looked at Matthew 22:1-14, the parable of the wedding banquet. Jesus tells a story about a party, an invitation from the king for all to come to his son’s wedding. Those who were invited refused to come, saying they were too busy and then murdering the messengers. So the king ended up inviting everyone - the bad and the good. All were welcome to the party, and they filled the wedding hall. But, wait, there was someone not dressed for the party. The king noticed and asked him what was going on. The man had no excuse and was kicked out of the party.

God invites all of us to the party and to experience the ultimate celebration, but what do we do with the invitation? Some of us refuse to show up. Some say they are just too busy. Some become angry and violent in response. These are the responses of the religious, those that are supposed to know the importance of the party. And, God says they don’t deserve to come; none of us deserve to come to God’s party. None of us deserve the invitation, and yet he still invites us. We are all welcome. When we show up, the door is open to us. The table is prepared. The host is happy to see us and celebrate with us.

Our response to the invitation matters. Our gratitude reveals itself in the way we honor the king. The man who wasn’t wearing wedding clothes disrespected the host. We are asked to give up our filthy rags and receive the wedding clothes offered to us. In some places in scripture these are called robes of righteousness, and they are given to us by Christ. Receiving the invitation is about showing up at the party, knowing that we don’t deserve it, and ready to honor the king. He’s waiting to dance and feast with us.

In Christ,

Wendy