Party!

Jesus also told them other parables.  He said, “The Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a king who prepared a great wedding feast for his son.  [Matthew 22.1-2]

Ah, the Kingdom!  What is it like?

There are many things here worthy of attention as the Kingdom has been alluded to as many things - particularly in modern times.  This illustration of the Kingdom has been used over the years to focus on several different points, namely, that people are too busy.

I today however wish to focus on a point I had only really recognized just today - that the Kingdom is likened to a party!  A wedding feast is a party - a celebration - a time of rejoicing, anticipation, food, drink, hope, love, and peace (to name a few things).  And while it is sad that people are too busy for a party, I think it is far sadder that people do not even recognize that it IS a party!

Then, as the likening goes on (by Jesus), He teaches about the guest who comes unprepared (improperly dressed) for the wedding.  The man did not wear his party clothes!  I have heard this made into many a sober sermon in my days, but never have I considered that perhaps Jesus was putting right before our eyes that we would miss the point altogether - our unpreparedness would tell the whole story - that we would fail to come dressed for a party!  Oh, we will dress for a lot of things in regard to our spiritual life... but a party?

Father, I do not wish to read anything into Your Word that is not there.  But Jesus DID liken Your Kingdom to what everyone in His day understood to be a huge and joyous celebration party - a wedding feast.  Help me to get it!