What’s it like?
“Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. (Matthew 22:1-2)
Matthew remembered Jesus using the phrase thirty times in parables describing what the kingdom of heaven is like. If we have been saved for any amount of time there is a good chance we remember these words, “repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 3:2) Those who do are granted to hear the parables through which we learn God’s mysteries. Jesus reveals the concealed through comparisons. (Matthew 13:11)
An invitation was given to and rejected by those “unwilling to come.” Others “paid no attention and went their way.” The rest “seized and mistreated” the servants who gave the invitation to the wedding feast. That pretty much sums up the situation leading up to the cross of Christ. “The king was enraged, and sent his armies and destroyed those murderers and set their city on fire.” (Matthew 22:3-7) (In 70 AD armies commanded by Rome, executed God’s judgement and set Jerusalem on fire.)
The rest of the parable concerns all who have heard or will hear the invitation. It ends with the illustration of what will happen if grace is taken for granted. “For many are called but few are chosen.” (Matthew22:14) God has made provision for our cleansing, (1 John 1:9) so that we are not the one to whom He says, “Friend, how did you come in here without wedding clothes?” (Matthew 22:12) That man was left speechless and condemned.
Those who would repent, when the kingdom draws near, are the ones whom God knew would come to be cleansed. Transformed by the word which is Spirit, the seed of God, and by the blood of Christ. “Many are called but few are chosen,” and I write to the few. “…..who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure.” (1 Peter 1:1-2)
Because you came…..
His Family Table 