Welcome and Wanted

Daily Reading:  Matthew 22

Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.’ And those servants went out into the roads and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests. (Matthew 22.9-10)

Devotional Thought: The king wanted as many as possible to attend the wedding of his son.  So, he sent his faithful servants out to extend the invitation to all.  Those servants, however, were ignored and abused, and some were even killed - by the very ones who were invited!  Eager for people to celebrate with him and his son, the king sent servants out again "to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find."  So the servants did just that, reaching out to the good and the bad.  The banquet was a huge success!

It is obvious who the characters are in this parable.  The King is the God the Father.  He desires that all would come to the wedding banquet with his Son, Jesus Christ.  So, he has sent his faithful servants – who are you and me! – out with the good news that everyone is welcome and wanted – Please come now!  Those who are being invited represent all the people of the world, both good and bad.  God is no respecter of persons, but is willing that all should come to repentance and come into the Kingdom.  There is no one outside the loving reach and purpose of God.  Some will refuse and abuse, but all are welcome and wanted.

Jesus told this parable in an attempt to “wake up” the Pharisees (religious leaders) who had rejected him.  But it is also a message to us.  We need to go out and invite everyone we find.  God desires that there be countless multitudes of people in the kingdom of heaven.  And his plan is that you and I, followers of Jesus Christ, should be the ones to invite them.  And we are not to be discriminating in who we invite, for all are welcome and wanted.

Prayer: Father, forgive me for thinking that some are not just good enough to be invited.  I know that you invite everyone, for you invited me!  Use me to gather "both bad and good" so that heaven may be filled with guests.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 90:13-17

13 Relent, LORD! How long will it be? Have compassion on your servants.

14 Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

15 Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble.

16 May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendor to their children.

17 May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands.