A Special Wedding Invitation From God

"Today's Devotion" For April 11, 2005

Read: Matthew 22:1-14; Revelation 19:4-9

A SPECIAL WEDDING INVITATION FROM GOD

"'For many are called, but few are chosen.'"(Mt. 22:14)

Do you like to attend weddings? Sitting on the kitchen table are two wedding invitations for weddings my wife and I are invited to attend. One is for a cousin and the other for a very good, close friend's daughter. Both are on the same day, and, while at different times so that we could, possibly make the attempt to celebrate with both couples and their friends and families, one wedding is in Illinois, the other in Milwaukee. We can't get to both of them, and so we've had to choose one. Of course, we'll be attending the cousin's wedding, which is the one the farthest away. I can't say it doesn't present a bit of a dilemma because I have a closer relationship with my friend and colleague than I do with my cousin. Besides, to go to my cousin's wedding requires longer travel, more expense, and a longer day. But, she is family, and thus has to take the first priority.

With this dilemma in mind, Jesus' parable about the "Wedding Feast" takes on a whole new meaning. The whole point of the parable is that God, in His grace, mercy, and love had chosen the people of Israel to be His very own people set aside from the world to be a beacon of His love to the world. Over the long haul of history, God had continually promised through the Prophets that He would send a Messiah to redeem Israel. That Messiah turned out to be Jesus Christ, God's Son made human flesh. Through the Prophets, the Father had continually called His chosen people to repentance and faith. He continually protected them from their enemies, setting them apart as His People, over and over again. Yet, when the Christ, the Messiah, came and they were called to believe in Him as their hope and salvation--the invitation to the "Wedding Feast"--they ignored Him and God's invitation.

Instead, it seems as if the "other invitation" sitting on the table was more compelling and appealing, as is often the case for all of us. The world's options are often more inviting and require less effort to fulfill than those received from God. It's a dilemma, powered by Sin, which sets us at odds with God on a daily basis. Scripture reminds us that since the days of Abraham, God's invitation to the "Wedding Feast" of His Son had been regularly sent out to His people. Yet, the invitation to the "wedding in the family" wasn't as appealing as the other invitations that God's people continually received. Over and over again the invitation was made to prepare for Christ's coming, for the "Wedding Feast" to come, and over and over again the invitation was ignored. Finally, His patience sorely tested, God determines that those He has chosen don't care to attend and sends out His Word and His invitation to strangers, people who had often been despised by Israel. These strangers respond with joy, preparing themselves for the "Bridegroom's" coming. Still, as is so often true wherever the Gospel is heard, even among those strangers there are those who believe they can enter the "Wedding Feast" without truly believing and following God's will.

The upshot of all this is that God had called you and me to Christ. He has invited us, by faith, to the "Marriage Feast of the Lamb." He has chosen us, not we, Him. His grace has set us free and clothed us in the "wedding garment" of the righteousness of Christ. Our sins are forgiven and we are called and freed to serve Him obediently and faithfully. Our response in faith and action indicates our election as one of the chosen few. We give God thanks and praise that He has called us and made us His own. What a great joy it is to be one of the chosen few, chosen by God to receive His forgiveness, joy, and peace in Christ Jesus, the Church's Bridegroom and the salvation of the world.

Prayer: Father, You have been so gracious and merciful to me. You have called me to be one of Your very own people in Christ Jesus. You have granted me faith in Christ, my Lord and Savior, and clothed me in "His blood and righteousness." Help me to live in Your grace and mercy in such a way that through me You issue Your invitation to salvation to others. Thank You, Father, for all Your patience, forgiveness, and love. In Christ, my Lord's name, I pray. Amen.
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright © 2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.