2.11.15 3.7.2021 Matthew 22 1-14, Matthew 26.20-30 Church A Place of Sharing

Matthew 22:1–14 ESV

1 And again Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying, 2 “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son, 3 and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come. 4 Again he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “See, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast.” ’ 5 But they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, 6 while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them. 7 The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. 8 Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy. 9 Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.’ 10 And those servants went out into the roads and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests. 11 “But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment. 12 And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ 14 For many are called, but few are chosen.”

Entice: We just acted out this Kingdom parable! We enfleshed and anticipated the final banquet at which we will see Him face to face.

We have been called..though many more have been summoned and refused.

We have been chosen because we have surrendered to the summons, we have consented to His call.

Engage: Multitudes have been called. Untold millions throughout our history. From the Galilee, from Rome, Antioch, Paris, Canterbury, San Francisco, St. Lous...Grayville. Generations have rolled past since the days of His flesh, since He summoned His subjects to share His table, share His vision , share His mission.

Matthew 26:20–30 ESV

20 When it was evening, he reclined at table with the twelve. 21 And as they were eating, he said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” 22 And they were very sorrowful and began to say to him one after another, “Is it I, Lord?” 23 He answered, “He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” 25 Judas, who would betray him, answered, “Is it I, Rabbi?” He said to him, “You have said so.” 26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” 30 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Expand: In the upper room and in this space today; a space which is sanctified by the Spirit-filled body of the Son of God this parable of the Kingdom is acted out. The parable is repeated eternally either in anticipation of His appearing or afterwards in celebration.

Excite: The significance of the Lord's Supper, Communion, Eucharist is not magical or mystical. It is historic and anticipatory. He described in story, what He did with His disciples in the upper room, what He did with us here today; what will be done in eternity.

Explore:

We have been called and chosen to share the eternal banquet with the King.

Explain: It is only at the Table locally and globally that we comprehend the stunning, hopeful vision of Jesus.

Here we...

1. Embrace Diversity.

Oh there I have said that Word, the "D" word; but let me clarify what Jesus thinks about diversity as opposed to the kind of diversity promoted by acolytes of the Empire. The current quest for diversity is not the same thing that Jesus creates in his Kingdom because empire really does not want diversity. What it calls diversity is actually compliant, boring, sterile, sameness. What Jesus does Jesus mean by diversity? Fishermen and tax Collectors gathered around the same table! What Jesus means by diversity is illustrated by the parable where the servants of the King go out to call people from the highways and byways to gather around his table, to prepare them for the appearing of the King. What Jesus means by diversity is dipping his hand in the dish with the very man who would betray him in a final attempt to reconcile. Clearly, empire is less concerned with diversity than it is with compliance.

We embrace diversity when we gather around the table because of Jesus. He reduces our differences and reminds us that only in him can we have real true life. Only in him can we function as people with different colored skin, different origins, people who come from different regions, people who have different background.

Only in Jesus are we able to find a peaceable, realistic approach to what makes unique in the eyes of God and redeemable through the sacrifice of His Son.

We Embrace and celebrate diversity...

1.1 Because Here the creator mingles with the multitudes.

Revelation 19:6–9 ESV

6 Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. 7 Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; 8 it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. 9 And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”

1.2 Because Here the fallen and fragmented are forged into the forgiven

Revelation 5:9 ESV

9 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation,

Here we...

2. Experience Dignity.

2.1 We do not deserve to be here.

2.2 We do not earn our place.

We are all debtors. We are all deceivers. We are all betrayers. We are all bandits. At best we are smelly fishermen and at worse we are unscrupulous tax-farmers.

Finally, Here we...

3. Encounter Divinity.

3.1 He is our host.

3.2 He is our servant.

3.3. He is our sovereign.

Shut Down:

Around the table in time and place

We live the parable, experience grace

Await the wedding feast of the Lamb

Embraced by the love of eternal "I am".

Around the table we all embrace

Across the years across the space.

Await the wedding feast of the Lamb.

Beholding the wounds of the great "I am."

Around the table there is no disgrace,

Sin is forgotten-there's not any trace!

Awaiting the wedding feast of the Lamb,

Forgiven and freed by eternal "I am."

Around the table in most every case

We long for our loved ones we cannot replace

Await the wedding feast of the Lamb,

Compelled to continue by eternal "I am"

Around the table we seek the face

The incarnate model for our modest race.

Awaiting the wedding feast of the Lamb.

Amen! Come again! Praise eternal "I am".