Perhaps you have heard of the family that moved into the neighborhood and
the little country church decided to reach out to the family. When they
arrived at the doorstep the members of the church were surprised to find
that the family had 12 kids and were for the most part poor. They invited
the family to services and said goodbye. Later that week the church
responded to their need. They delivered a package to the family and said,
"We want you to know that you and your entire family are welcome at our
church anytime. We have bought you these gifts and we want you to feel
comfortable and at ease in our congregation. We hope you can use these," and
they left. The family opened the package to find 14 suits of clothing,
beautiful clothes for every member of the family. Sunday came and the
congregation waited for the family, and they waited. The family never
showed. Wondering what could have possibly happened, after lunch the members
of the church returned to the home and found the family just getting back,
all dressed in their new clothes.
"We don't mean to be nosey but we would like to know what happened. We had
hoped to see you this morning in church," the leader of the church inquired.
The father spoke up. He said, "Well, we got up this morning intending to
come. And we sure do appreciate your invitation. But after we showered,
shaved, and dressed, why we looked so proper we went to the Episcopal
Church."
That's a funny way of talking about a serious problem. Invitations are sent
to many to come to church but so few people respond. It's frustrating. Many
of you have reached out to neighbors or friends and asked them to come to
church and you know all to well the disappointment, how few respond.
Maybe that is why we find this morning's parable so familiar. We are told
that Jesus spoke to the Pharisees and the chief priests in a parable. He
said the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who was giving a
wedding banquet for his son. The reception that was given was immense. You'
ve all been to wedding receptions and you know how they can get out of hand.
Imagine one thrown by a king for his son. Invitations are sent to all the
friends of the family but they all turn down the invitation, they are too
busy to attend.
The king then invites everyone out on the streets and in the marketplaces.
The dinning hall is filled with guests but there is problem. It just so
happens that as the king is mixing and mingling with the guests, he sees a
man who is not wearing the appropriate wedding attire. He is wearing an old,
perhaps tattered robe, obviously the garb that he wore in everyday life, his
street clothes. "Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe,"
the king asks. The man was speechless, so the king had him bound and tossed
into a place called outer darkness. Jesus concludes the parable with these
solemn words: "Many are called, but few are chosen."
On the face of it the story sounds rather harsh, and it is. But if we look a
little closer we will understand that in God's Kingdom:
1. Everyone Is Invited to the King's Reception.
2. Not Everyone Will Respond to the King's Invitation.
3. The King Chooses Who Can Stay.
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