It was a wedding invitation. I finally got down to actually studying this parable. The detail is rich, you guys. You have to know a bit about Jewish weddings in the first place to understand what really is happening in Jesus’ story. Also, the two invitations, and the seriousness of not accepting them becomes clear when you realize that this was a wedding of a prince, the King’s arrangement: marriage plan, food, and festival.
No wonder the Pharisees were squirming. Who would think of turning down such an invitation? Not me, right? But they had farms and things. No time for weddings, I guess. Not even for the Prince.
Parables are so neat. Especially when Jesus is telling them. He, of course, knows all from history to future to context from anytime. So he can tell the best stories ever. So if you’re a doubter or a self-defender when it dawns on you where the storyteller is headed; you find yourself at a loss. If you say anything in defense you give yourself away with your own words. If you don’t say anything; you fit the picture anyhow and it’s uncomfortably obvious. (I wish one of you would say that better for me.)
The only proper response to a parable like this is to get real with myself, ( Elv and I have had more than one thoughtful conversation this week), get real and hold session about inventory, intention, and goals right here at home. What am I missing or neglecting in the kingdom because of just stuff and wrong loyalties. What do I actually care about?
Yesterday, after praying to understand this parable better, I got to thinking about the Highways and Hedges people. They came. They accepted the invitation. So have I. Oh, I’m not worthy. I’m not of the right culture and lineage at all. Gentiles aren’t anything, you know. But the King was past caring. He wanted to fill the tables and that’s where we come in. Jesus told those Pharisees that it was coming down to this in Matthew 21:43.
Jesus said that they gathered those people up and they all came in to the wedding. Love that word “gathered”. One day soon, we’ll be gathered to the Marriage Feast of the Lamb. Revelation 19:9.
I’m grateful. Life everlasting begins today! Wouldn’t it be the best thing ever, if everyone would accept?
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