Those Invited to the Wedding Banquet

¨But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his merchandise.¨ Matthew 22:5 (AMV)

Here in the parable found in Matthew 22 verses 1 through 14 we can find the history of the world wrapped up in a nutshell.  Jesus, the very Son of God discloses what is secretly happening all around and what the end result will be.  For the person concerned with these things it is a wonderful treasure of information and hope.  For the unconcerned, it is their terrible accusation and final sentence for the path they have chosen.

There is at this very moment a great wedding banquet being prepared.  The very Son of the King is to be married and the preparations have been made.  God has set the tables and decorated His great hall to make everything ready.  Now He sends out His Angels to call in the invited guests.

Unfortunately the passage describes the general response towards the invitation.  ¨They made light of it,¨ reads some versions, or ¨they paid no attention.¨  ¨But unconcerned they went off,¨ reads the Reference Bible and the Kingdom Interlinear says; ¨having not cared.¨  Then the intended wedding guests go off to their own ways, to their fields, their jobs and their own cares and things.

Don´t you get a sensation of fear when you read these words?  People whom God has called, and that could be you and me, are making light of it and going about their own business and returning to their things instead of dropping everything to attend the Master´s feast.

We can twist it around or turn the subject how we want, but the accusation stands.  The words came from the mouth of Jesus Himself.  What will we do with them?  Will we make light of them too?  Will we brush the calling off so that we can return to our own interests without accepting any weight of guilt?

The story is clear.  People are more interested in living their lives and pursuing their own interests.  I cannot escape a heavy sensation of guilt when I stop to consider my own reaction towards the callings of the Lord.  How many of us are doing this in some way right now?  The wish of our King is that we drop our things, throw on our special outfit that is reserved for this occasion, and make our Way to the Party.

Dear Jesus, forgive us for each and every moment when we make light of your messengers that are calling us to come into the banquet.  Let us be painfully aware of those moments we choose our things over Yours.  Help us to turn away from all our things, and take heed of the calling.  Dress us we pray in adequate dress, that we may come into Your great hall and participate in Your wonderful celebration.  Let nothing keep us from that but fill us with an overwhelming desire for us come into Your presence.  Let us hear the invitation right now and give us the strength to drop EVERYTHING and turn to follow Your wishes for us.

Amen