The bubbling of the steamer warming the milk and the humming of our office’s coffee machine created a relaxing symphony of sounds. I was enjoying the bliss when fellow Our Daily Journey author K.T. Sim dropped what some people call a “red bomb” on me.
The “red bomb” is actually a wedding invitation. In the Chinese culture, receiving one means you must now “bleed money” (we give red envelopes with cash inside to the wedding couple as a blessing). So receiving a “red bomb” is—in jest—something undesirable.
In Matthew 22:1-14, Jesus told a parable about some people who spurned a king’s royal wedding invitation. “They all refused to come” and “went their own way, one to his farm, another to his business” (Matthew 22:3,5). Some even “seized his messengers and insulted them and killed them” (Matthew 22:6). Such indifference and hostility to a royal invitation seems rather odd, doesn’t it?
There could be only one possible answer: They didn’t honor the monarch as their king. Instead, they wanted to simply go about their own enterprises and pursue their own interests rather than share in the king’s joy.
Jesus shared this parable to illustrate that the King of Kings is reaching out with a loving invitation to His royal feast. Today, He’s still extending His invitation to the world. Will you come? Will you come wearing the robe of righteousness provided as a gift by God to those who believe in Jesus and receive Him as Savior? (Matthew 22:11-12).
I look forward to attending the royal banquet to be provided by God! (Revelation 19:9). It will be a time of joy and celebration in His presence. Until then, may we extend His invitation to others, for it’s His desire that all will come and dine at His table.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 1 Corinthians 15:42-58
More:
Read Revelation 19:6-8 to learn more about the great marriage feast that awaits all believers in Jesus.
Next:
Why is it so important to dress appropriately for the wedding feast? How can you help others know that God has invited them to be part of His wedding feast one day?
BearPair on November 26, 2015 at 2:07 am
The more I think about this analogy wt the “red bombs,” the more Scriptural imagery comes to the surface… Christ’s having to “bleed” (this time, literally) in order to write our invitations, the costly price our redemption required from our heavenly Father, the extreme offense the cross was to the Jews, and on the list goes. Thank you, Poh Fang, for this striking illustration! Let’s get busy making that banquet guest list as long as possible!
jim spillane on November 26, 2015 at 12:16 pm
If you will permit me to take this in another direction, I am often disturbed and troubled by another message that I get from Matthew 22, and it has to do with the final verse, “For many are called, but few are chosen.” And there is another troubling scripture in Matthew that states, “Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” Matthew 7:13-14. I get the sense that there are, and will be, far fewer in heaven than we might realize. Sounds like most of us are not going to be admitted. (almost like a very exclusive club). Any thoughts?
greatfulgrace75 on November 26, 2015 at 6:01 pm
If I may respond, Mr Spillane…think about the narrow path being similar to being a professional athlete. There are many athletes in high school, but that number narrows down in college, then severely restricts at the professional level. Why? Because it takes dedication and hard work to stay the course/path. Few people have it in them to self-sacrifice. Many people say they are Christian, but are they truly? It’s hard to deny oneself and follow God. I know I fail at it, but his loving grace helps me return to the path and forge ahead. God’s grace is available to all, but few will accept it and even fewer will live it (read Matthew 13:3-8).
daisymarygoldr on November 28, 2015 at 1:29 pm
Why is it so important to dress appropriately for the wedding feast? The dress identifies whether we are genuine or counterfeit Christians. To come and dine we must first come and die. Why die? Dying involves stripping off our old sinful nature to put on Christ.
“… the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes…Do not participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.” (Romans 13: 11-14)
All are welcome to the wedding feast. However, only those dressed up in appropriate attire of salvation (Isaiah 61:10) are allowed to enter in. God’s invitation is also a “red bomb” and accepting His call will cost us. This is why many are called but only few are chosen (Matthew 22:14).
“…the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb, and his bride has prepared herself. She has been given the finest of pure white linen to wear. For the fine linen represents the good deeds of God’s holy people.” (Revelation 19:7-8)
Winn Collier on December 6, 2015 at 9:18 pm
I’ve loved this parable and the multiple invitations the King sent out, the insistence on celebrating as well as the sobering word about what it means to be at the True King’s shindig.