You’re invited!

But who else are you bringing to God’s ultimate celebration?

by Heather Keeler

T

he room is decked out with ribbons, streamers, candles, twinkle-lights and balloons. It is like nothing you have ever seen before. The lighting is soft and the atmosphere magical, perfect for the wedding of the King’s son. There’s a long table with chairs around it, covered with the most mouth-watering food you have ever seen. There are other people around you, but the room is silent as each takes in the grandeur of their surroundings. The trumpet sounds, heralding the entrance of the King. As he enters the room, you bow before him in awe; your heart can hardly contain your gratitude at being invited to such a marvellous feast. He stops in front of you and says, ‘I’m glad you came.’

When I became engaged last month, I discovered that people get very excited about weddings. All of a sudden, I was popular. I received cards, emails, phone calls, flowers and even gift certificates. It seemed that everyone wanted to be a part of the celebration. I soon found myself in a sea of organza, candles, chocolate and, of course, the wedding invitations.

My parents, filled with pride and joy, want to invite everyone with whom we have ever had any kind of contact, and it didn’t seem to matter how much it would cost. They are overflowing with excitement and wanted to share their joy with the world. Their attitude has been similar to that of the king Jesus uses in a story to describe what the kingdom of Heaven is like (in Matthew 22:1-14).

You’re Invited!
Picture the king, robed in majesty, powerful and respected, filled with pride and joy; his son is to be married. The king has his palace decorated and all the best linens, silverware and plating have been brought out for this most important occasion. He has spared no expense. The fattened cattle and ox are killed and roasted, and only the best food and wine is on the menu. Although he has already sent out the invitations, the king is eager for his guests to arrive. As the roasts are carved, he sends his servants to those he has invited to the banquet to urge them to hurry, for the feast is ready. But they refuse to come.

The king is confused. Surely, there must be some misunderstanding. He sends more servants out, instructing them to explain to his guests that the palace is decorated beautifully and the food smells delicious. As he speaks to his servants, the joy and excitement in the king’s voice increases, ‘I am eager to have my guests here to share in this great celebration! Go and tell them again to come!’

But Why Won’t You Come?
But the guests pay no attention to the servants. Not even the promise of the king’s finest wine could entice them to leave what they were doing and join the celebrations. In fact, some of these guests even go so far as to attack and murder the king’s servants!

The king is angry and shocked. ‘Why would they do this?’ he wonders. ‘Don’t they understand how important this celebration is? Did I not promise them the best meat and the finest wine? What reason could they possibly have for not wanting to be part of the feast?’

He says to his servants, ‘Everything is ready, but the people I have invited didn’t deserve to come. Go into the streets and invite to the banquet anyone and everyone you find! I am celebrating my son, and I want people to celebrate with me.’ The king wanted this evening to be the most incredible celebration ever, because he was celebrating the most spectacular event ever, the marriage of his son to his chosen, and dearly loved, bride.

The servants did as they were told. They went out into the streets to gather all the people they could find. The Bible says that they brought both good and bad, and they filled the wedding hall with guests.

Our Part in God’s Celebration
Since beginning my own wedding preparations, I have a greater appreciation and understanding of this story that Jesus told. I know how exciting a wedding is and how important it is that everyone comes to share in the excitement - to witness the miracle of two becoming one. How dreadful it would be if all the people invited to my wedding decided that they were not interested and had better things to do.

The King has prepared the feast, set the tables, decorated the room and booked the musicians. But he’s left one thing to us - he has given us the task of gathering the guests.

As Salvationists, we are meant to be totally involved in God’s kingdom. But what does that mean for us? What does ‘kingdom living’ actually look like? According to this parable, it means we are to be enthusiastically involved in the planning and the celebration of God’s great wedding celebration.

As the King’s servants, we are already going to be present at the wedding, but that isn’t our only role in this celebration. God has entrusted the most important task of all to us. The King has prepared the feast, set the tables, decorated the room and booked the musicians. But he’s left one thing to us - he has given us the task of gathering the guests.

How exciting it is to know that we are part of the greatest celebration in the history of creation!

I don’t know about you, but it really gives me a deep thrill and sense of joy. So, shouldn’t it be our natural inclination to share that joy with everyone around us? To run into the streets and say to everyone we meet, ‘There is a great wedding celebration happening, and you’re invited!’

It’s going to be more extraordinary than any party you could ever imagine. Everyone who’s anyone will be there. This will be better than any red-carpet event. Bigger and more wonderful even than the most extravagant wedding ever held. This is good news! And what’s better - you’re invited, and you can bring along as many guests as you would like. In fact, the King commands that you bring as many guests as you possibly can!

Let’s get serious about this wedding invitation business and make God’s celebration the most popular event in all eternity!

Writer: Originally from the small town of Fort Frances, Canada, Heather Keeler moved to Toronto to live in Regent Park and join 614. After a year, she joined the first-ever Ignite Gap Year team. When the year was done, Heather stayed-on to lead two more teams. Since then, she has become engaged and moved to Wellington, New Zealand. Heather is striving to live a life of significance, learning what that means, and in the meantime, trying to have a little fun.

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