The Invitation

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When I was planning our wedding, there were so many details to figure out. One of the most important ones, in my mind, was the invitation. This small element was going to be the first glimpse of our wedding; it had to be awesome. Fortunately, my parents and I agreed on the importance of this statement, so, we spared no expense.

A couple months before the ceremony, the invitations were sent. They were embossed, tasteful, enticing and beautiful; everything that I had hoped for. And yet, some people who were invited, did not attend. A tiny part of me wanted to stand up and say, “why the heck not? Did you see our invitation?! Does it not seduce you into attending our wedding?!”

Matthew 22:2-3
“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.” - NIV

God is preparing a banquet that is invitation only, and somehow, we have made the list! What God has prepared will be more extravagant than any could imagine, and yet, many invited consciously choose not to attend. I can’t help but wonder: Why not? Then I think, could it be the invitation?

The invitation to God’s banquet is not presented with fancy lettering, embossed graphics or excessive detail. God’s invitation is quite plain in comparison; it comes from a poor Galilean with dust in His shoes. Perhaps the people were not attracted to such an event. Perhaps the people had something better to do. Perhaps, due to other commitments, there simply was no time.

Are we guilty of the same? Do we fill our lives with so many commitments; there is no time to prepare for God’s Heavenly banquet?

God is preparing a banquet for us; are we preparing to attend?