Great Banquet

“Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’ 

And he added, ‘These are the true words of God.’” (Revelation 19:9)

Jesus uses the Parable of the Great Banquet to illustrate the kingdom of God.  He tells about a man who prepared a great banquet and invited many guests.  But all of the people who were invited found reasons not to attend.  One makes the excuse that he must urgently go and see a field that he has purchased (as if he is afraid the field might grow legs and walk off if he doesn’t check on it immediately).  Others beg to be excused because they have work to do, while others claim to have important family commitments.

The banquet host then sends his servants out to invite other people.  The hall is soon filled with the people who are willing to come—the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.

In the kingdom of God, all are invited; all are offered a seat at the Father’s table.  Accepting the invitation is the only requirement to attend.

Meditation

How can you accept God’s invitation to take a seat at the Father’s table today?