Matthew 22:5  “But the guests he had invited ignored them and went their own way, one to his farm, another to his business.” (NLT)

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Jesus told a story about the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 22:1-14). The setting is a wedding banquet. Weddings can be a lot of fun. This is especially true when God is involved in the planning. God’s parties are legendary. The best of everything is on the menu. Our heavenly eternity begins with a party, and it never ends. 

Not everyone is excited about God’s parties, apparently. Some people ignored their invitations. Others found something else to do. Some had a few chores to take care of. Others couldn’t stop working. 

Asking to be excused from heaven doesn’t sound wise, does it? I do hope you’re not on the fence about that. It would be the worst possible thing to say, “Yeah, I’ve got other stuff to do. I’ve to sulk in envy because other people have more than me.” 

Or, “I’ve got to lament the fact that everything I do have doesn’t really make me happy.” 

Or, “I’ve got to finish binge-watching this show on Netflix. It’s hot. There are pretty people with problems. Someone’s going to die, and someone else is going to kill them, and someone else is going to inherit everything. You’ve never seen anything like it.”

Unless you read the Bible and pay attention to the news. 

What if you could experience all the love and kindness you always longed for? 

What if justice and mercy, grace and forgiveness were the ground rules?

What if you could participate in the most epic story of all time?

What if you could listen to the best music ever written and played only now on this special occasion? 

What if all your best and highest dreams came true?

What if all your relationships were filled with laughter and joy?

What if you turned off the television, stopped your busywork, and stepped into God’s invitation of purpose and delight, beauty and wonder, now and forever?

There are some things I am never too busy for. God’s gracious invitation to anything is at the top of the list. 

Do notice how you and I do not have the excuse that God would never allow people like us into his party. Verses 9 and 10 tell us,

“Now go out to the street corners and invite everyone you see.’ So the servants brought in everyone they could find, good and bad alike, and the banquet hall was filled with guests.”

Are you coming to the party? 

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I will take God up on his invitation to the party that never ends.

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Our Father, whatever you want for me is what I want for myself. Whatever you invite me into, my answer is Yes. Whatever distracts me from what you desire for me is something I hereby lay down. My RSVP is signed, sealed, and returned. Thank you for your gracious invitation to your purpose today and the pleasure of your presence forever. Amen.