Jesus' Parable of the Wedding Banquet

Read Matthew 22:1-14

Jesus compares the kingdom of God to a wedding banquet that a king throws for his son. Think of the food! Imaging how lavish and wonderful the celebration will be. Dancing, music, dessert will flow like water in a flood. It will likely be the party of the decade, perhaps the century. Who wouldn’t want to be there?

Well, according to Jesus’ parable many have been invited but they refuse to come. Maybe they are too busy with other things. Maybe they just don’t like the king. Perhaps they have nothing to wear to such and event and keep their distance because they feel inadequate. Whatever the reason, those invited reject the king’s invitation. Jesus concludes the parable with this haunting phrase, “Many are invited, but few are chosen.” What could he mean? What is the difference between being invited and being chosen?

In the midst of these questions, along with the anger and irritation they cause, it is easy to forget that Jesus sees the kingdom as a grand party and a place of rejoicing with the Son who has finally chosen a bride to give his life to. Come and hear more this weekend in worship and Bible classes!

Pastor Lars Olson