Invitation to a wedding (2) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2025

A certain king sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they were not willing to come. Again he sent out other servants, saying, Tell those who are invited: See I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding.
Matthew 22:2-4.

Invitation to a wedding (2)
One can hardly believe what we have read here: "They were not willing to come". The invited guests proved to be disloyal subjects, rebels, who did not wish to celebrate with the king and showed disrespect for his son.

The king sent out a further invitation, sending other servants; maybe they would be received more readily. He even hinted that the delicious feast would perhaps be to their taste. Having formulated the invitation in greater detail, he expected no-one to misunderstand the urgency. It now no longer seems to be an honour for the guests to be invited (as on the first occasion), but rather that the king regards it as an honour to accept his invitation.

What happened when Jesus began His public ministry? "His own did not receive him" (John 1:11). And when His sayings and works proved Him to be the Messiah, He was rejected. His own people would not come to Him to receive true life (cf. John 5:40). The leaders of the people would not rest, until He was hanging on the cross.

Did God's love then cease? Did He give up His plan of salvation? Not at all! When the work of redemption was accomplished at the cross, all was ready. God gave the Jewish nation another opportunity to accept Jesus as their Lord and Messiah (cf. Acts 2:22-41).

Would the invited guests now accept the invitation?

(to be continued on Monday)

Today's reading: Job 19:21-20:29 · Acts 12:1-11