GREAT FEAST
“… Jesus concluded,
“Many are invited, but few are chosen.”
(Matthew 22 : 14)
The word ‘feast’ delights our mind. It is common phenomenon in our society to
accept an invitation, be a part of it in its proper disposition. It was a
custom of the Jews to send out invitations to weddings or a banquet to guests
publicly prior to the event. God’s invitation comes numerous times in different
manner in our life. It was through various prophets and prophetess that the descendants
of Abraham were handed over God’s invitation. It was in this context Lord Jesus
told this parable:
Here the host of the banquet is the Almighty God;
who had sent out invitations to the Jews- chosen people of God to enjoy the
Messianic Kingdom which His Son Jesus proclaimed. His servants were sent out to
tell the invited guests to appear to the feast, but they refused. Again God
sends out another set of His servants with His message but again those invited
refused citing various excuses in regards to their – farm, shop etc. Initially
privilege was given to the chosen race, but they chose to defame and prove
their disliking to the king and his rules.
We humans tend to be tired of repeated advices or
warning through our benefactors to repair a broken relationship or to break off
a particular bad habit or to repent of deadly sins. Forgetting their goodness
and loving care, we seldom abuse and accuse them falsely to avoid their
presence in our life. Similarly, when we simply chose to ignore His messengers
or refuse to accept them, a time will come sooner when we will be cut off from
God.
The Holy Bible says, “The axe is ready to cut down
the trees at the roots, every tree that does not bear good fruit …..” (Luke 3 :
9) It is wise to remember that you may
not get such valuable days, so let’s take this blessed day to turn to the Lord and
accept His message.
Later on, the king commanded his servants to go to
the main streets and lanes; gather all the people good and bad alike, and the
wedding hall was filled with people.
Though originally the invitation, a great
privilege in itself, was extended to His chosen ones; but as the Holy Bible
says, “It was necessary that the Word of God should be spoken first to you, but
since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we
will leave you and go to the Gentiles.”
(Acts 13:46) The King of kings, widely opened the door of His Majestic
Kingdom to the Gentiles who were confused and disturbed. “If you wander off the road to the right or
the left, you will hear His voice behind you saying, ‘Here is the road follow
it.’ (Isaiah 30 : 21) The king gave great opportunity to those who
listened to his invitation without any discrimination. Thus, unexpected people were given the
opportunity to enter the Kingdom of heaven and to relish the banquet. Here we see it was not the respectable and
rich ones of the society but the ones despised by the Jews who got the
opportunity. Once Lord Jesus said in His
teaching, “I assure you that many will come from the east and the west and sit
down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob at the feast in the Kingdom of heaven.” There was a belief and the attitude of Jews
that whoever received baptism was worthy for the Kingdom of God (salvation).
It was the custom that one must attend the wedding
feast with the attire that was given freely by the king. The hall symbolised the Kingdom of God which
has enough space for everyone who wishes to enter. Then,
the enthroned king’s eyes was fixed to one guest who was not properly dressed
for the wedding feast. Each event and
its place have its own dress code, mode of behaviour and decoration. The
invitation was free but it does not absolve the rules of the event.
The king ordered his servants, “Tie him up hand
and foot, and throw him outside in the dark.”
A proper attitude and disposition are essential to please God and to
enjoy the Kingdom of heaven. The Holy
Bible says, “Happy are those who wash their robes clean and so have the right
to eat the fruit from the tree of life and to go through the gates into the
city.” (Revelation 22 : 14)
Every day before the clouds break and the sun
rises, the heavenly banquet is set by the Gracious Lord. In front of all your
enemies –the worldly forces- the Good Lord Himself sets the table for His
children to relish. We may have many excuses ranging from occupational,
material, family to personal obligations to ignore God’s call and invitation. Not
only do we neglect it, but with a word of apology we move to our personal
obligations. Practice first to relish from His Holy Table – personal prayer -
that provides love, joy, peace, wisdom, self-control, etc. and weave the
eternal garment by the Gospel values and virtual deeds.
May the Lord bless
you and take care of you. May He be kind and gracious to you. May the Lord look
on you with favour and give you peace.
With love filled blessings,
Your Sister in Christ