Devotion • July 4
Today’s Scripture Reading
Matthew 22:1–14
Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come. Again 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.’ But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his slaves, mistreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then he said to his slaves, ‘The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.’ Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests. “But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing a wedding robe, and he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?’ And he was speechless. Then 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.’ For many are called, but few are chosen.” (NRSV)
Reflection
These ancient parables are simply tough customers! When we try to get what Jesus is communicating, we may glaze over.
The natural tendency is to project our experience on the story. We have or know someone who tried to draw up a wedding guest list for their child (check); the invitations sent out (check); the little return envelope or the online invitation returns arrived (check); and in disbelief maybe half of those invited could make it (shaky-check). So, those in the “maybe we can invite them” list hastily are invited — time is drawing short — some random cousin; some friend from the past; even a decision to let everyone have their plus-one bring a plus-one. And in the guests pour.
It is supposed to be a black-tie wedding, or that was the image. The venue was classy, and only very fancy would do. And the parents of the wedding couple process in with, well yes, black tie, long sparkly gowns, oozing with class. And they notice that Cousin Jim from LA is wearing chaps; Aunt Tab who has flown in from Denver on a delayed flight is in Lycra; a friend of a friend’s plus-one might as well have gone on over to Oak Beach for the outfit — beachwear she arrived in. And the sinking disappointment plunges to despair.
This is where today is not Jesus’ parable, however. Though the wedding hosts today may roll eyes, grumble to each other, and perhaps make a little joking jab at the ill-clad guests, the stakes are not Jesus’ stakes.
Jesus is looking at the very stakes of a lifetime. This is not an episode along life’s way; this is very measure of one’s following, of the importance of coming prepared and of accepting the invitation and then stepping into the feast clothed with the attire of the Messianic age.
Step up, step in, and go with God.
Prayer
Clothe us with grace, with love, with hope, with joy, O God, as we come to the celestial banquet. Through Christ. Amen.
Written by Lucy Forster-Smith, Senior Associate Pastor
Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church
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