Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Home
Evangelical
Politics and Religion
Invitation to the Feast

Invitation to the Feast

Last updated on: October 15, 2014 at 6:00 am by Gene Veith

0 Comments

Invitation to the Feast 2014-10-14T20:19:31-04:00 Gene Veith

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

The New Testament reading for last Sunday was the parable about the king’s invitations to the marriage feast–those who turned them down and those who were brought in off the streets (Matthew 22:1-14). You’ve got to see what our pastor did with this.

From Rev. James Douthwaite, St. Athanasius Lutheran Church: Pentecost 18 Sermon:

Weddings were quite different in Jesus’ day than in our day and age – especially royal ones. They were not just a one day affair, but could last a whole week. The focus was not on the bride, but on the groom. You didn’t bring gifts and you didn’t have to go buy special clothes – they were provided for you. And so to be invited to such a occasion was quite a honor and not something to be taken lightly.

So the parable of Jesus we heard today should perhaps be updated a bit, so that we who hear it today might properly understand it and the shock value it would have had for those who heard it back then. So allow me to do that for you, just a bit . . .

A king bought a new cruise ship for his son’s wedding feast. It was the top of the line, had all the latest technology, and was specially decked out for this occasion. And he wanted it filled. No small celebration would this be, but an entire ship full of joy! But even so, the king’s joy would be even more, so pleased and happy he was for his son. He was excited just thinking about it and planning it.

So as the preparations were being made he sent out the invitations. And if you’re a king, you don’t send them out by mail with a little envelope to RSVP, you send your royal servants to give a personal invitation. And he invited everyone who was anyone. All the A-listers would be there. For ten days and nine nights of all expenses paid, no-holds-barred, celebration. And no gifts, please. What could you bring for such a king anyway? And don’t pack anything – everything is provided. The ship is stocked with everything that is needed so that when you board, you change into your new cruise wear and just begin to celebrate. No worries, no needs, no cell phones, no computers, no distractions – just come, feast, celebrate, and rejoice.

That’s a pretty sweet deal, wouldn’t you say?

So the day comes, all is ready, and the king sends his private jets out all over the world to pick up the guests and bring them to the ship. You see, your travel, too, is included; there is simply no expense for you to come. . . . But when the jets return to the royal airfield – the ones that actually return, anyway – come back empty! Those invited do not, will not, come! Why? Well, the reports are, quite frankly, unbelievable. One said he had to mow his grass. Another had to go to work and balance the books. One had a tee time. There was the one who didn’t want to miss the next episode of Dancing With the Stars. Another had to take his dog to the dog groomer. And then there were the ones who didn’t give an excuse – they answered with violence! Seizing the servants, mistreating them, and even killing some.

Stunned would not even begin to describe the king. He was stunned-times-a-thousand! Of course he got justice for those who mistreated and killed his servants – that was the easy part. Issue the order and it’s done. But there was still the matter of the cruise, the celebration. As stunned as he was, he was still full of joy for his son and had to share that joy. So he sends his servants to go round up people to celebrate with him. I don’t care who it is, he says. If they’re breathing and they can eat and drink, bring ‘em! So they did. Both folks the world would consider good and upstanding people, and those the world would consider, well, less than desireable. The king didn’t care! He just wanted to give.

So the hard-working deck hands came on, along with the guy who had been living under the bridge. The teacher followed by some ladies-of-the-night. Some old, retired folks came next, followed by the guy who stands in the middle of the street every day with a cardboard sign asking for money. The carpenter, the guy who makes shoes, the landscaper, and one servant even brought all the folks from the local homeless shelter. You name it, they all came. They couldn’t believe their good fortune. They rushed to their state rooms, showered and changed into the new cruise wear that awaited them, and joyfully threw whatever they wore onto the ship overboard. And the ship cast off and the party started.

And the king was overjoyed. It was a dream come true for him. The ship was filled with joy, but his the greatest of all.

But as he was rejoicing, he passed by one fellow who wasn’t wearing his cruise wear . . . in fact, he kind of stunk. He was wearing his old work clothes and had somehow slipped past the secret service. Well that didn’t make sense . . . so the king asked him: Buddy, what’s up? How did you get on and why aren’t you wearing your new duds? The king wasn’t mad – just curious why this man wouldn’t receive his gifts and generosity. A simple “I’m sorry” and a quick dash off to change would have fixed everything.

But the man wouldn’t even give him an answer. He just gave him one of those looks, like: What? Aren’t I good enough for you? My clothes not good enough for your royal highness? You got a problem with me?

And once again, stunned isn’t a strong enough word to describe the king, who just wanted to give and give and give and celebrate. So the man was removed. This ship is only for those who rejoice and receive the free and gracious gifts and generosity of the king.

That, my friends, is what the kingdom of heaven is like, Jesus says.

[Keep reading. . . ]

Bible

Church

parables

Rev. James Douthwaite

Previous Post

October 15, 2014

Synod says, look for the good in gay & non-marital unions

Next Post

October 16, 2014 The Kansas City Royals are in the World Series!

Recent Comments

0 | Leave a Comment

"While she worked for Trump she was a tool's tool!"

reg

Luther on Tools

"I know wired earbuds are making a comeback (I never stopped using them as I ..."

reg

Luther on Tools

"VCRs, tape decks, and cassette players are all having a revival among a segment of ..."

Tom Hering

Luther on Tools

"As a (retired) lawyer I see potential liability from sharing things like power or sharp ..."

reg

Luther on Tools

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category America Apologetics Art baseball Bible Blog Christ Church crime Culture Economics Education Ethics Family Food Football Government History Holidays Holy Week Humor International Islam Language Law Life Issues Literature Media Medicine Movies Music Nature News Personal Philosophy Politics psychology Reformation Religions Sacraments Science sex Social Science Sports technology television terrorism Theology Uncategorized Vocation war

Select a Month October 2026 September 2026 August 2026 July 2026 June 2026 May 2026 April 2026 March 2026 February 2026 January 2026 December 2025 November 2025 October 2025 September 2025 August 2025 July 2025 June 2025 May 2025 April 2025 March 2025 February 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What false teaching did Paul correct in 1 Corinthians 15?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Denial of resurrection Animal sacrifice Circumcision Pagan temple worship

Books by This Author Books by Gene Veith

See All Titles »