Jesus’s parable of the wedding feast is more unsettling than reassuring. It challenges our assumptions about matters of earthly and eternal importance. My focus in this parable is how people answer the question, “Am I okay?” or in theological terms, “Am I justified?” If we talk about the wedding banquet as people’s salvation, the banquet would provide God’s answer to whether or not we are justified, or okay. God’s gift of salvation can answer the question of worth and belonging that plague so many people. How do we answer the “Am I okay?” question in our own lives, and are we willing to let God’s answer be enough? Or do we find ourselves needing to find our own human answers that keep us from being able to trust our inclusion in God’s wedding banquet? If God has invited people to the wedding banquet, they have already been offered their spot in the kingdom of heaven. So, the question is: Why would they reject it? Why would they give up salvation? To use the language of the parable, why would one pass up free food and drink? The answer lies in their responses: they either reject God and God’s message of mercy by killing the messengers (like the Jewish nation and many others have), or they have other things they are busy with. They have their jobs, their property; things they have built themselves, things they are using to define their worth in the world. This is so similar to our own confusion or conflation of vocation and justification. Our culture resonates deeply with Christopher Nolan’s ‘Batman’ when he says, “It’s what we do that defines us.” For many of us, our world creates jobs and family situations where our performance is deeply tied to our sense of worth. Many people in our culture want to be the best employees or best parents because that will dictate whether or not they are okay. For many people, we know that we are okay, that we are justified, because we have fought the good fight, done our duty, been a good person. In the parable, the king responds by turning our systems on their head. By sending out his troops to destroy the people and their “city,” the king is destroying our human notions that what we have done and built has value when it comes to the wedding banquet, the kingdom of heaven. Instead, the king invites everyone in the main streets: the good and the bad, the non-elite. No longer are we worried about the elite, the wealthy, or those who control society. Instead, God is declaring his acceptance of the marginalized. The text continues to add insult to injury, by throwing out those who show up at the wedding banquet who aren’t willing to be completely covered in God’s mercy, that is, the wedding gown. This signifies that for the writer of Matthew there is only one way to the wedding banquet: through Christ. To put on the wedding robe provided by the king is to put on the garments of Christ; when we come to the wedding feast, we are clothed like everyone else in mercy. If we refuse this mercy by instead relying on our own works or accomplishments, we stand in judgement. If we want to prove ourselves worthy, we will indeed feel the sting of “Many are called, but few are chosen.” Yet, if we remember that God’s grace is what saves us, we won’t worry about having to justify ourselves or who else God has decided to include in the Wedding Banquet. We will just be so grateful and joyful to be included and free to enjoy God’s abundant blessings at this most amazing and pivotal celebration. Of course, Jesus also tells us elsewhere that the kingdom of heaven is here and now for those who have accepted his call and been symbolically dressed in the righteousness of God. As Paul told the Ephesians, we are to: “Put off your old self, with regard to your former way of life, to be made new in the attitude of your minds, and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22-24) That is finally how I hear this passage speaking to us today. God is calling us, now, more than ever, to “put on Christ” and bear witness to his grace and love in the world around us. So, being confident of your place in God’s kingdom, put on the garments of Christ, daily. Clothe yourself in compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience and love … and in so doing, honour and glorify the king. Let us pray: "Dear Lord and Father of mankind, forgive our foolish ways; reclothe us in our rightful mind, in purer lives thy service find, in deeper reverence, praise.” (John Greenleaf Whittier, Presbyterian Hymnal, p. 345) In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
PRAYER OF INTERCESSION Holy God, whose goodness lasts forever and never fails, we turn to you with our prayers and concerns. We bring before you all who feel excluded from community. Silent prayer We pray for all who suffer because they are refused the means of life. Silent prayer We pray for all who seek healing and hope for the future. Silent prayer We pray for peace in every land and for leaders who embrace your values of justice. Silent prayer We pray that your church will ever be a beacon of gospel truth. Silent prayer And we pray for one another, that being assured we are your chosen people We will go into the world and invite all to the banquet table. Proclaiming the good news of God’s unfailing love and generosity to all people. Let us share in the feast of life now for the benefit of all. And may God’s love be in our hearts; may Christ’s good news be upon our lips; and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit enable us to live justly for all. Amen.
1 Comment
Andrew Richard Corish
9/10/2020 05:23:47 pm
Fantastic David. Really interesting.
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