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. (Matthew 22:2-3 NRSV)
The king in our parable today was not going to let this great feast go uneaten. He told his servants
in verse 9, "Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding
banquet." As a result the banquet hall was filled with people. The mood was very festive. It was a
great feast and everyone present had a grand time. The invited people had never in their lives
experienced such a feast. There was laughing, singing and dancing. It was a time of great joy.
I like the story of the little boy who came to his father and asked him, "Dad, who made God?"
The father, reading the newspaper, responded, "Beats me, son." The little boy asked. "Dad, why is
the earth round?" The dad answered, "I don't know, son." The boy then asked, "Dad, is there life
on other planets?" The father patiently answered, "Nobody knows the answer to that." Finally the
boy asked his father, "Dad, do you mind me asking you all these questions?" The father put down
his paper, "Why, not at all, son," he said, "How else are you going to learn?"
We all have much to learn. When we accept God's invitation, we gain a sense of community, and
we gain a sense of meaning and purpose to our lives.
Prayer: Dear God, who invites all to your banquet, I accept your invitation. But, please
help me to stay in your banquet hall. Amen.
Written by: Ronald Newhouse, Texas, USA
Wednesday, April 22, 1998