The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. He sent His servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come but they refused to come. John 22:2-3
In the passage for today, we read that the king had prepared a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come but they refused. He then went to further lengths to ensure that they knew he had prepared an elaborate feast and he wanted them to come, but they paid no attention! They even mistreated and killed his servants! The king was enraged and destroyed the murderers.
Then he told his servants that those who had been invited did not deserve to come and to go to the street corners and invite anyone they could find to the banquet.
Jesus came first to the Jews, who refused Him, and then He offered the gift of salvation to the Gentiles. The greatest wedding invitation that has ever been issued is the union of Jesus, the groom, to His bride, the body of Christ. Some accept the invitation with joy and others refuse. Jesus sets before us a banquet, a feast fit for a king. We are able to see a vivid picture of a king who offers a banquet in the Song of Solomon, “He has taken me to the banquet hall and the banner over me is love.” (Song of Songs 2:4) Jesus offers us a banquet of His love, and the cost was His very life. He offers us salvation and we can refuse. He further tells us that He has gone ahead and prepared a place for us when we receive Him into our lives: Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house there are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. (John 14:1-2)
When we prepare to have guests for dinner, we generally take time to plan a menu, shop for the food, and then prepare it. It takes time, but we want to bless our guests. The King in this story was ready for his guests to come. Jesus has gone to great lengths to prepare the way for us to enter His kingdom. He has made a way for us to have eternal life with Him through His death on the cross, and has ascended into heaven to prepare a place for us. Have you entered the banquet hall?
Heavenly Father,
I have refused to accept the invitation to Your wedding feast. Forgive me for turning away and refusing Your invitation. I accept You as my groom and ask You to take me into the banquet hall where the banner over me is love.
In Jesus’ name, Amen
