Rejected 2

Matthew 22:8-10

At our previous church we held a catered dinner at Christmas for the congregation. The meal was delicious and a bit fancy. When it was over we had sufficient food left over that we were able to take several complete meals to a nearby shelter, feeding all the residents.

What a delight it was to me to be able to provide direct and tangible help to people in need, and what a wonderful treat that must have been to those people – a lovely, catered meal.

Continuing with the parable of the wedding banquet, there is a great abundance of food that has been prepared, but the invited guests have rejected it. What does the king command? What is the result?

Specifically, this parable addresses the fact that Jesus was sent by God to offer salvation to the Jews, God’s chosen people. But most of the Jews rejected Christ, choosing not to accept him as the Messiah. Now, the message and offer of salvation – the banquet of God’s abundance – is being given to anyone, Jew or Gentile, who will believe.

But this parable can apply to any of us today. The blessings of God, if rejected, are not wasted. If any person chooses not to accept the blessings of God, not to accept God’s mercy and love, these gifts do not wither or diminish.

Instead these blessings pass on to those who will indeed believe and receive. If you will not come to the table of God and take part in His abundant mercy and goodness, there are others who will come.

And that is part of our work as believers. We are to be like the servants, going out in the world and finding all those who are willing to receive from God. Just as in the parable of the wedding banquet, God desires that His hall be filled with guests.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can you help to fill God’s hall with guests?