15 Oct SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2023
Celebrations in the ancient world didn’t come any bigger than a king giving a wedding banquet for his son. Today, the phrase king-size represents many things deemed ultra. Perhaps you once considered how luxurious or fun it might be to sleep in a king sized bed, eat a king-sized meal, or enjoy the privilege of king-sized membership at HersheyPark. 
When it came to conjuring up ideas of extravagance, an invitation such as the king’s should have caused everyone in the country to envision festivities for days. More so than any upcoming major scheduled event, the king’s son’s wedding celebration was advertised well in advance on all local channels. Every billboard in town announced the day of its coming. There were dozens of little two-sided signs posted in people’s yards, along roadsides and at the curves on mountains where folks had to slow down anyway and couldn’t possibly miss reading them.
The king sent out slaves to personally go knocking door-to-door once the big day arrived. He didn’t just post an update on social media, change his outdoor roadside to read, “Today’s the Day,” or enlist teens to hold poster board signs and wave enthusiastically at folks driving by.
He didn’t try to catch people entering or exiting stores by setting up tables manned by cute little kids. The king sent drivers house to house across the land to show up everywhere like pizza deliverers, Amazon and FedEx trucks. But the people of the countryside would not come.
So he sent out other slaves to entice them further by describing just how fine the food is that has already been prepared. Like weekend days at Costco, people didn’t have to imagine what was being offered. They were encouraged to experience the goods with their senses in hope that they’d want more and therefore, commit.
Years ago, our family tried on numerous occasions to have a special meal with friends. Unfortunately, on more than one occasion, the couple called to say they couldn’t come within mere hours of having already planned everything. Not only was it a bummer to have purchased food not typically in our budget in amounts beyond our family’s normal consumption, it was super disappointing to be deprived of their company after much anticipation and energy was invested on our family’s part in preparation for their visit to our home.
We always knew that if they had come, we’d all have fun and enjoy ourselves immensely. The king knew that,too. So, in both cases, it was very unfortunate that those who had been invited were, for whatever reason, unable or unwilling, to attend and fulfill plans that had been made in advance with them in mind and very much on their behalf.
The good and generous king did everything within his power and that was possible to make each of his citizens feel welcome and to encourage their full participation. But his efforts were disregarded, ignored and rejected. Some of those invited even mistreated and killed his emissaries.
Let’s imagine what it was like to be the king. Think of a time when you intentionally mentioned to a family member, godparent, other relative or family friend an upcoming event in your family’s life that was cause for celebration. Perhaps you said how nice it would be if they were able to join you or attend one of your children’s school or sporting events.
Why might you have done so? Because you knew that them showing up would mean something to everyone else already invited or involved; that their presence would sweeten the overall memory, strengthen bonds and help keep folks connected. If they came, too, it would make the day or occasion seem even more special.
But, just like in the parable, most people prefer to do their own thing and just go about their daily lives. That’s the norm. They are consumed by responsibility or pleasures of their own making. They forget that life contains but a handful of rare moments and events that are truly special. As was then, is now. Too often, the paths of people we care about don’t cross naturally or without intentionality. So, like the king, we must go the extra mile and put forth some extra effort.
Like the king, in your heart you know that such occasions build and strengthen relationships between individuals and the community at large. They establish trust and enrich lives such that everyone feels part of a larger extended family. Such events allow people to form memories so that life itself holds deeper, greater meaning.
Like the king, when dropping hints doesn’t work, you take a different approach. Perhaps you pick up the phone, dial a person’s number then put your child on the line to personally invite them with the thought, “They won’t be able to refuse being asked by my child once they hear their voice say how much they wish that person would come be there.”
Suppose, like the king, you told your child to walk next door or ride their bike and go over to invite them in person. Then, what you could never envision happening, happens. It turns out that the people you invited are actually mean. They have no trouble refusing even your child or denying the sweet intent of their request for that person’s company.
That’s where this analogy ends because I can’t place a child in the role of the slave any further or subject them to the slaves’ fate. In the parable, the slaves are hurt, mistreated and killed by those once invited to become part of the king/family’s inner circle.
All trust is broken and relationships are ruined such that there is nothing left to salvage. Things were already destroyed before the king sent his troops out. Harm had been done; bridges had been burned.
All that remains is what to do with all that has been prepared in advance for the king’s initial guests: fine food with all the trimmings, beautifully decorated banquet halls, candle lit tables, a tall delicious cake and wonderful parting favors. It would really be a shame to waste the expense and effort already put forth. Since all is ready, the king says, “Go and invite everyone you find. Gather all sorts, good and bad, to fill this wedding hall.”
Of course, the parable clearly pronounces judgment upon Jewish religious leaders of Jesus’ time who would not impress upon their own people to accept Jesus’ invitation to enter the kingdom of God nor acknowledge Jesus’ role as the king’s son/representative. The king knows that there are others who will come if the first one’s invited refuse to attend. The non-Jews (or Gentiles as they were called) heard the call and showed up in great numbers.
The bottom line of the parable is this: Show up when invited. Don’t refuse God’s hospitality, ever, because no excuse will be taken kindly. And never harm the king’s messengers. You see, this parable describes what had already happened to God’s prophets while also predicting Jesus’ death, God’s Son’s marriage to his bride, the church and our invitation to The King’s future wedding celebratory feast in God’s heavenly kingdom.
And for God’s sake and for your own sake, let the host, God The King, clothe you now, in proper attire for the occasion: the righteousness gained by Christ, in what is also known as the garment of grace specially designed for those who come to the wedding feast, those who enter God’s heavenly kingdom.
Now I must address the verse, “Many are called, but few are chosen,” which sticks in my craw. It makes me think that entering the kingdom of heaven is like trying out to become a member of a game show audience.
Are we invited to show up en masse in costume for “Let’s Make a Deal with God?” Do we wait in line with a group of other goofy adults on a sidewalk outside a heavenly studio? Will we experience the disappointment of making it through the first cut as an audience member only to realize that there’s no guarantee that the host of the show will choose us to participate or play his game of chance for the purposes of advertisement and entertainment? What are our odds of leaving with nothing or perhaps only a small consolation prize?
Is that God’s idea of a wedding banquet/ kingdom where all are welcome? A cattle call, an open audition of sorts to see if we are worthy to partake of what’s offered to only his “chosen” guests? I think not.
As the parable began, everyone in the land was personally invited and graciously encouraged to come once things were prepared. Even at first refusal, citizens were offered vivid reminders of what awaited the king’s guests. And yet, nothing the king did ever won them over. The activities of their personal lives were more pressing and important than his wish to celebrate his son’s marriage with them.
Worse still, they killed whom the king sent, Jesus. In an article about revitalizing rural churches, the Rev. Dr. Jaye Johnson mentioned that vital congregations have three things in common:
- They embrace the reality that we are all connected to God and one another.
- They encourage people to embrace one another and others more fully.
- They evoke action by making the most of people’s gifts and building a network of relationships.
https://www.agriculture.com/revitalizing-rural-churches
Not one of those three things are possible: to remain connected, to embrace one another, or to act making the most of people’s gifts while building a network of relationships if we, as Christians won’t accept God’s invitation.
Everyday, we are asked to put aside our own agendas and attend the wedding banquet. We are asked to stop what we’re already doing to participate in the kingdom of God. Because, we aren’t only partygoers, we are the preparation crew. We are sent by the king to invite others, to describe in detail how well the king has prepared accommodations for each and every one of his guests.
We have been clothed with proper attire and given the necessary garment of grace. Under God’s direction we will be recognized among the crowd as belonging to the king wherever we go. It’s possible that we won’t be well received or welcomed. But nonetheless, the king will take note of how we are treated, will defend and make amends for whoever might seek to harm or destroy us.
The banquet hall will not stand empty. The food will not go to waste. The flowers will not wilt. The decorations will not droop. All of God The King’s efforts will be appreciated by those who ultimately answer the call and realize that they have indeed been chosen and deemed worthy by the king’s son, Jesus.
It is the son’s act that is cause for celebration. His act of marriage to the church, the bride he chose to wed for eternity, the people Jesus invited to dwell with him and his father together forever is cause for great celebration. Won’t you say, “Yes,” today as you are personally invited and completely outfitted by the king himself? Let us pray.
Jesus, Son of the Living God, Savior of the World, groom of the Church, thanks for the invitation extended by you and your/our Father in heaven. We heartily accept and admit we are not worthy, nor possess the proper attire for such a place as your kingdom. By your word and provision, we enter your presence with gratitude and humility, hoping to enjoy all that you have prepared for us, from time immemorial. In your holy name we pray, Amen.