The Invitation

Matthew 22:1–14 NIV

1 Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: 2 “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. 3 He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come. 4 “Then he sent some more servants and said, ‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.’ 5 “But they paid no attention and went off—one to his field, another to his business. 6 The rest seized his servants, mistreated them and killed them. 7 The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. 8 “Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. 9 So go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.’ 10 So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, the bad as well as the good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests. 11 “But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. 12 He asked, ‘How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend?’ The man was speechless. 13 “Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ 14 “For many are invited, but few are chosen.”

The Invitation

YOU’RE INVITED!! The paper was top notch, the edges feathered. The words were engraved and the border was golden. A great banquet was to be held in honor of the president’s son who lived in the area.

This beautiful invite graced the mailboxes of many dignitaries in town. This would be a grand occasion. No expense would be spared. Everyone who was someone was on the list of guests. World renowned chefs would prepare the meal. A live 13 piece orchestra would provide the dinner music. A famous country music star would perform after dinner. The president herself would speak and pose for photos. It was to be a very big deal indeed.

The press were even notified and they began to report on the major event.

The Rebuff

The mayor held the invitation up to the light. The watermark of the paper was the best. It seemed genuine. He smirked, then smiled. He slid the invite back into it’s envelope and dropped it in the circular file along with all the other junk mail of the day.

And he wasn’t the only one. All over the village, people of note were sticking this note in the place all pieces of paper go to die. The sound of shredders shredding could be heard on the street. The planner was prepared to received the early RSVP’s to gauge how many tables, how much food to prepare. Would they need one huge tent or two? But days turned into a couple of weeks. When they counted up all who would be there it wasn’t very hard because the number was zero. But the tens of thousands had already been paid out.

Everyone had been very tight lipped about it up until now because nobody had the guts to tell her no one was coming. In fact, AirForce One was in the sky, they were literally on their way and the president didn’t know yet. Executive staff members stared blankly at the chief of staff. Would it really be better for her to find out after we arrive? So, he rose from his seat, opened the door and walked out to face what he thought would be his last few moments as chief of staff.

She. Was. Livid. I’ll bomb that city into oblivion! They will regret the day they snubbed me!

But then, suddenly, she got a twinkle in her eye. This is how she became president. She could think on her feet. What could be better? The real VIP’s in this town and every town are the everyday people who make things work!

So invite them. EVERYONE! I don’t care what it costs invite the whole blooming village. Get the chef on the phone. Order more tents. Get a soundstage for the orchestra. We are going to rock this town.

The Open Window

Josh was driving home from work when his car let him know he had a new message, did he want to hear it? Sure. Phones lit up on every street with alerts about the incredible event. Everyone who make it there was welcome. But dinner would be served in 2hrs.

Every network ran with the story. The People’s Banquet. Everybody who’s nobody is a somebody tonight.

The Second Chance

Wow, a chance to dine with the president? He checked his calendar. As usual there was nothing on it. Now some people were insulted to be invited on these terms. They didn’t want to be seen as a nobody. But Josh had no such pride. He believed in his president. He wasn’t alone. Hundreds were making the last minute arrangements to be on the lawn at city park in the middle of this medium sized village.

Josh pulled into his apartment complex and ran up the stairs three at a time. There in the back of his closet was his best suit. Now he hadn’t worn it since Julie’s wedding four years ago. But he LOVED that suit. In his mind’s eye he was going to look fantastic in it. As he pulled it on he realized things were getting a little interesting. The pants were about a size too small. The jacket too big since he stopped lifting weights, but it wasn’t too bad if he kept the coat buttoned. But as he looked in the mirror his eyes were gleaming. Tonight was his night to shine. It hadn’t been his decade. So many things in life had been dead ends. But tonight he and his best suit would be basking in a glorious evening. His heart rate ticked up a few notches..

Now for those who paid attention, the invites were very clear:

Black Tie Only: Formal Attire provided. Most were just wearing the casual clothes they were in when they got the message.

The Anticipation

Josh was behind the wheel and on the road in a flash. He was trying to remember the last time he had a fancy meal out. It was probably Julie’s wedding. Lots of macaroni and cheese and ramen noodles in a cup since then. He was salivating as he pictured the scene. Orchestra in the back ground. A nice looking lady complimenting him on his suit. His moment posing with the president. He almost ran a red light imagining how this evening would go. Maybe she would even offer him a job in her administration! Ok, well, maybe not. Still this was going to be great....

The Implication

Josh parked his 2004 Corolla with no rear view mirror, he splashed through a muddy puddle on the park lawn. He knew because he rubbed up against it staining his best suit. Ugh. Maybe nobody would notice. He saw the line already forming and he picked up the pace, determined to get there before anyone else in the tight rows of cars all around him.

The closer he got the more glad he was that he had stopped by home to change. He didn’t see anyone he knew but thought: look at these poor slobs. Where’s the respect? Nobody else was dressed for a banquet. Hah, maybe this evening was going to be even more promising than he had imagined. He was definitely going to stand out. Maybe she really would offer him a job in the executive branch!

Finally the line was moving and the conversation was buzzing. As he got closer, he was very puzzled. People were walking out of tents in tuxedos and gowns. What a scene! Wow fancy smancy. But I don’t need a tux, I’ve got my best suit! I love this suit. So he planned his speech. No thank-you. I’m happy with what i’m wearing.

Now there were just five people ahead of him. That’s when he noticed. Lots of men and women with ear-pieces in listening and then talking into their wrists. Either these people were insane. or could it be? Yes, of course, Secret Service. They were frisking and scanning everyone as they arrived. All their possessions had to be checked at the door. The sign said it all: Black Tie required, formal attire provided. How they were pulling this off was blowing his mind, but he realized now there were lots of reasons to require the change of clothes. But security for this kind of access to the president was one of them.

Suddenly he didn’t feel quite so superior in his suit. But an anger began to kindle inside his chest. He didn’t want to wear a monkey suit. He was very happy with his own. Even has he grimaced a little from the tight pants. He was offended by these terms. He wanted access to the president. But he wanted to shine in his own best clothes.

The Slip

Twilight had arrived but the lights had not yet been turned on. The secret service were busy. In a noisy dark moment he slipped into the banquet and filled his plate at the salad bar. He made his way to an empty seat and began to push his food around on the plate. He ate some but the knot in his stomach wouldn’t let him enjoy it.

People at his table stared at his lapel and then at each other knowingly. But nobody actually mentioned it and they all made polite conversation. He let himself relax and before long he was just looking forward to the evening. The music was amazing. The food sublime. The service like none he’d ever experienced. He barely had room but the desserts looked so inviting that he couldn’t resist.

The Confrontation

Soon the president kept her promise and she made her way from table to table, greeting everyone and posing for selfies. Cellphone towers were glowing red hot with all the instagram and facebook posts. It was quite a scene. But as she inched closer and closer to Josh’s table…some things were hitting home. Why oh why did he stubbornly refuse the new clothes? All the exits were closely guarded. If nobody had noticed him so far they would certainly notice his attire if he tried to leave.

Josh thought about a lot of things in his life. How he was often stubborn. How he just could not submit to nearby authority. He was face to face with a pattern of running anytime relationships got difficult. But there was no running this time. His pride of life would stand out. It had potentially put everyone at risk. That’s how it would appear. He had no excuse. He made the choice. So he swallowed hard and hoped for the best.

He stood to shake hands with his hero, and at first she smiled. But then she saw what he was wearing. Friend, Why aren’t you wearing a tux? How did you get in here without changing clothes? Josh just swallowed hard again. What could he say? Answer me, friend? What do you have to say for yourself? But again, the pride kicked in. Why didn’t he just ask for mercy? Saying nothing in answer to the president was an unacceptable affront.

With a nod of her head two men had lifted him off the ground, one on each elbow. In less than five seconds he found himself out of the bright lights. His face pressed into the wet evening grass. Handcuffs on his wrists and a grilling with questions he would remember for the rest of his life.

The Devastation

Josh was devastated. Ashamed really. He could imagine the breaking news about an unidentified man who snuck into the president’s banquet in an ill-fitting suit. Why?

Well as you can see by now this story follows the story in our text this morning. It brings to light important things about what it means to be invited into God’s kingdom. How glorious it is that although some of the officials of Jesus’ day had the opportunity to receive him. But most of them took a pass. It was the everyday people who received him. They received him deeply into their hearts. It was life-changing for them to be included in God’s family and in the great banquet of salvation set before them.

But the end of the story reminds us that Grace has a particular shape. Whosoever will may come. That’s true and it’s the most gorgeous truth you could ever imagine. But like so many of the stories Jesus told, we are reminded that we are vessels, not storage bins. The only way to really receive God’s grace is to receive it on God’s terms.

Forgiveness, love, healing, restoration, new life, being part of God’s family it’s all there for the having. But it doesn’t work if you try to just take the forgiveness and the love and keep on doing life your own way.

Paul writes repeatedly to the early church to change clothes.

Romans 13:14 NIV

14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.

Colossians 3:9–10 NIV

9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

Ephesians 4:24 NIV

24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Coming to Jesus is about leaving behind all that you take pride in to take hold of what you can truly be proud of: the glory of God. The beauty of his grace. Not your own righteousness. It just doesn’t measure up.

Philippians 3:9 NIV

9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.

And so we come to the challenging side of coming to Jesus. It means real change because it means real love. It means we waive the white flag of surrender and we find the peace worth celebrating. So much mediocre stuff we are hanging onto gets traded in for the very best heaven has to offer. It’s worth the trade, my friends.

The Invitation

So many in the world have rejected the invitation. I hope you haven’t. Quite a few have tried to receive it on their own terms. I hope that’s not any of us today. Tom T. Hall said: me and Jesus got our own thing goin’. Me and Jesus got it all worked out. Well Tom, you don’t get your own special deal. It’s the same deal for all of us. We give up our everything which ain’t much and we gain everything: a true everything that lasts forever.

God is good. God’s grace is amazing and never ending. But it has a particular shape. We come to it humbly, without reservation. We let it shape us, we don’t try to bend it to our own will.

It’s for you today. If you’ve never received the grace of the Lord Jesus. If you’ve never surrendered your life to him. If you’ve never committed your life to following him, today is your day of salvation. Let the journey begin right now. Be done with life on your terms. And receive Jesus and his unmeasurable grace today.

If you’ve received Jesus, but today you realize that either from the start or at times you’ve tried to manipulate things your own way. Then come clean now with God. Make it clear to yourself and to God, you belong to Him. You know the mercy of Jesus is what you must have. Set aside your pride. Don’t hold back. Start fresh today. Bend your knee before your true and everlasting King of Kings. Just as you are.

This morning if this message is just a reminder of how amazing God has been to you, then just bask once again in the glory of his grace. Give thanks to our good God who offers you grace. And give thanks for the day it found you.

May we all be found in him having the righteousness that is from God through faith. Let’s pray....