The neighborhood in which I live is a gated community. Also, I have a private gate to get onto my personal property. It is not that I am paranoid, only prudent. If I know someone is coming to visit, I make the proper arrangements on how to access my home. If not, then they cannot enter without the gate code.
In the Bible, Jesus tells a parable of a king who was planning a wedding feast to honor his son. It was to be on the grandest scale! His invitation went out to many, but they refused to come because they had other things to do. They were too busy. So the king extended the invitation to anyone who would come. “…and the wedding hall was filled with guests. But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. ‘Friend,’ he asked, ‘how did you get in here without wedding clothes?’ The man was speechless. Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are invited, but few are chosen.’” [Matthew 22:10-14]
At the first reading, you and I might think the king in this story to be harsh or lacking compassion. For sure it would seem that way if you were the person who was thrown out for crashing the party. But, what if you were one of the guests who accepted the invitation, came and had no idea the king even knew who you were? Wouldn’t you feel pretty special?
The full extent of the meaning behind this parable cannot be addressed in this short devotion. However, anything you and I need to know can be understood right up front. God is planning a “wedding feast” to be held one day in honor of His Son, Jesus. It is a destination wedding that will take place in heaven for eternity. He has sent out the invitation to EVERYONE to attend in His Name! Some who have received His invitation have already said “yes” and are excitedly looking forward to the celebration. Sadly, others are too busy to give much thought at all to responding or mistakenly believe, that when the time comes, they will be able to “crash the party” on behalf of their good deeds. Others think that when they just show up, God will wink at their boldness and are counting on His proclaimed love to allow them entrance. Are you willing to take that chance? Where do you stand on the list of those invited? Your invitation has gone out. The question is, have you RSVP’d?
Sherry Sharp
P.O. Box 4233
Richmond, VA 23242
804-327-0710 ext. 6