Word@Work, Let God's Word energise your working day!

Refusing God's Invitation (1)

Matthew 22:1-3
Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: '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. (NIVUK)

Weddings are usually eagerly awaited social events. The opportunity to join in the joy of others is a great privilege. That is especially so when the invitation is given by the king and the bridegroom is the king's son. Jesus used that scenario as the basis for another parable to the religious leaders; regarded as spiritual authorities but who did not want to accept His teaching. Neither did they want Him to stir up the people against their control.

The story would clearly not have a happy ending because after the king's servants had personally invited the guests, they all refused to attend. It was a major insult. Such refusal was socially rude and amounted to civil disobedience, a treasonous offence. The story pivots on the response to the king’s invitation to honour his son. It is obviously about God’s invitation to honour Jesus, which angered the Pharisees. They did not welcome Him as God’s Son but were so enraged by the parable that they, “… went out and laid plans to trap Him in His words” (Matthew 22:15).

Who were the servants? Throughout the Old Testament, God had sent prophets to get His people ready to meet His Son. The last of those was John the Baptist. His message was uncompromising, “Repent and believe the good news” (Mark 1:15). The trainee apostles were given the same message to preach (Luke 24:47). It is unchanged today (see www.crosscheck.org.uk).

Many religious people construct their own 'god-kingdom'. Although they may not realise it, they themselves are the gods whose commands must be obeyed. Jesus came to rescue people from the impossible strain of being their own god. He invites them to become His Bride and to honour Him as the bridegroom. The clergy of Jesus' day were no different from millions of people today who believe that they have no obligation to come when He calls or go when He sends - but they are wrong. They need to repent and believe the good news that all God’s purposes are fulfilled in Jesus … and to accept God’s invitation to be part of His eternal celebration of honouring Jesus.

Prayer 
Almighty God. Thank You for the clear call of Jesus to obey Him. I am sorry for the times when I have refused His call or thought that disobedience did not matter. Please forgive me, and enable me to be a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ. In His Name. Amen.
Bible Book: