Matthew 22:1-14 (NRSV)
Read Matthew 22:1-14 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 22Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying: Verse 2"The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. Verse 3He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come. Verse 4Again he sent other slaves, saying, 'Tell those who have been invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.' Verse 5But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, Verse 6while the rest seized his slaves, mistreated them, and killed them. Verse 7The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Verse 8Then he said to his slaves, 'The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Verse 9Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.' Verse 10Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests. Verse 11"But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing a wedding robe, Verse 12and he said to him, 'Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?' And he was speechless. Verse 13Then the king said to the attendants, 'Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' Verse 14For many are called, but few are chosen."
Devotion
Banquets, feasts, parties, and food, glorious food! I love preparing and hosting feasts, hoping that all my guests will feel welcomed and loved. Banquets often depict God’s welcoming and loving presence. The king in today’s parable held such a banquet, inviting all the important people in his life. Even though he must have sent out a “save the date” notice, they were all too busy to come. He held the party anyway, inviting people in from every walk of life, clean and unclean. All were welcome.
God isn’t picky about the invitation of grace. All are welcome at God’s table. No matter how unworthy we feel, how hungry we are for peace or solace or comfort, no matter how anxious we are, or how broken we feel, God wants you at the table of grace, where you can feed on God’s endless love and mercy. You are invited!
Prayer
Again, we can do nothing but praise you God. It is sometimes almost too good to be true that you love us with such force. Open our hearts and minds to you so that we, seated at your table, can bask in your presence and be fed with your gifts. Amen.
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