Scripture

“The feast has been prepared. The bulls and fattened cattle have been killed, and everything is ready. Come to the banquet.”

Observation

The kingdom of God is like a king who prepared a great wedding feast. When everything was ready the king sent out his servants to fetch the guests. They all refused to come.

The king sent out more servants. The guests ignored them, and some even killed the messengers.

The king was furious, so he sent his army to kill the murderers. Then he instructed his servants to bring in everyone “good and bad alike.” One man in the feast was not properly dressed and so the king had him thrown out into the darkness.

Application

The last few decades has seen a massive cultural change in the West. A centuries long tradition of adherence to christianity has been overturned by hypersexual individualism. No longer are christians in the majority in many countries, but they are becoming increasingly marginalised and harried by the cultural leaders.

There have been many attempts in the church to reverse this culture war. Christians have been made to feel guilty in many ways. If only we evangelised more or better. If only our churches were more welcoming of Generation Z’s or Millennials.

This parable was originally aimed against the leaders of Israel who failed to see Jesus was the long- awaited Messiah bringing in the promised Kingdom. They were the invited gusts who refused to come to the party.

But now we have a new culture where people have rejected the gospel. We are the invited guests living in the privilege of a culture that was dedicated to God’s values. We said “No” to the king’s invitation, and now the Spirit of God is calling people in Asia, Africa and South America to “Come.”

A faithful remnant intercedes for their nations and share the gospel. Will we see the invited guests change their minds and join the feast?

Prayer

Lord, I pray for Australia. Bring this nation back to a place of repentance before you. Revive us! Amen.