Never Pass Up a Great Party
Matthew 22:20-14
Luke 14:16-23

Some of us could never imagine the kingdom of God being a party. We just can’t fathom it. All that shouting, dancing, laughing. There are just too many serious things we are supposed to be doing. Too many black-tie affairs. But God’s party, with or without us, roars on.

The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son (Matthew 22:2)

Sure, we were invited years ago. But now we stand in the corners, behind the furniture, in the hallway, hoping nobody will confuse us with the rabble that God just ushered in through the front door. Even if we had not seen them enter, we sure could have smelled them. The noise, the ruckus, the celebrating! What are they so happy about?

The problem is that, though we are at the party, our minds are far away. We remember the field we bought and we are obsessed with its poor drainage. We think of the new car we just bought and wonder if it runs. We wonder if the new bird dog we bought is any good at hunting birds (Luke 14:16-20). And so, we insult God. We are at His party. But not really. We are as far away from God as we can be.

But there will be a party. With or without us. God tells the party coordinator to go out into the streets and bring in the poor the crippled the lame and the blind. Which, by the way, are dressed in rags, dirty, and smell to high heaven. But God will have them there; and the poorest of the poor never pass up a great party.

They sure don’t look like us! Exactly. But they are wearing wedding clothes. They are at the party, partying; and God did not ask for their references. He did not do background checks. In fact, He doesn’t even hold their ugly, sordid pasts against them. But we do, oblivious that we smell worse spiritually than the newcomers do physically. They, at least, changed in to the wedding garments

And God sees us. We are not wearing wedding clothes. We are not joining with the party. God asks us, Why are you not wearing wedding clothes? How did you get in here? We reply, we took them off long ago, Lord.

Then the king told his attendants, Tie them hand and foot, and throw them outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 22:13).

There is nothing worse than being at a party and not being part of the party.

Prayer – God, recreate in our hearts the joy of your kingdom. The joy to experience your love and strength and the joy to share it and share in it with those who will. Teach us to never cast away the garments of righteousness that you have given us. And may we ever rejoice in your presence. Amen.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer said correctly that it is not before us, but before the cross that the world trembles. We should think of his words often, especially during those times when we are enamored with our own talents and abilities, when we are awestruck by how good we are. Why? Because it is not before our magnificent church buildings, our flashy preachers, our youth groups, nor any of our church programs that the world will tremble. They will, however, tremble when they see Christ crucified for them and understand that they, too, will be and are crucified with Him. Paul understood it.

I have been crucified with Christ and I now longer live, but Christ lives in me (Galatians 2:20).

So much for self aggrandizement and glory! When we stand amazed in the presence of a crucified Christ, we too are crucified with him so that He can live in us and act through us! His words become our words, His deeds our deeds, His thoughts our thoughts. No more room for boasting, except, of course, in Christ and Him crucified.

Imagine, then, how easy it would be to take a friend up to the top of Calvary and allow him or her to tremble before its vision of grace, love, and forgiveness. Not only to see it, but to hear you explain it as well.

It has been said that church programs without the message of Christ are nothing more than nails in the coffin of the church.

So, say something next time. Or, like one friend once said, Speak a Good Word for Jesus.

Prayer: God, we humble ourselves before you today, knowing our greatness comes from you and all that you are. It is for your glory, not ours, that we serve. And may we ever be mindful that it is before the cross, and only the cross, that men and women will experience your saving power. In Jesus name, Amen.