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)
I read once about Television's 20/20 host Hugh Downs and his wife who attended a function in Washington D. C.. When the time came to return to New York, they discovered that their flight had been canceled due to bad weather. Down's called the front desk and clerk informed him that they could catch a five o'clock train, which was leaving in 45 minutes. Mrs. Downs was showering, and to save time Hugh hurriedly packed all their belongings. He called the bell captain and asked that the bags be rushed right over to the station and put on the train. A bellhop came immediately and got them.

Five minutes later, Mrs. Downs stepped out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel. "Dear," she asked, "would you please hand me my green dress?"

We're not told how the Downs resolved this dilemma, but our dilemma is similar. Are we dressed for God's awaiting banquet?

In scripture reading today, it says, "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.'" The king's son was to be married. It was a proud moment for the king. People from the entire kingdom, from every town and village, were invited to the wedding and the feast that would follow. Who would refuse the king's invitation?

In Jesus' parable there was a problem. Nobody showed up! Imagine how you would feel if you spent much time and money on a wedding reception and no one showed up. Matthew says, "The king was enraged." Obviously, the king was not a happy camper.

We are all invited to God's eternal banquet. Will we be there?

Father God, help me to live each day in anticipation of being a part of your eternal banquet. Amen.

Ron Newhouse

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