YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO THE INVITATION

Reference text: Matthew 22:1-14

An invitation by definition is “a written or verbal request inviting someone to go somewhere or to do something.” An advertisement is an invitation, and like other invites, lays some kind of role on the invitee to respond as they desire: whether to accept or reject. Events may have dress codes, arrival times etc. Hence, every invitation has ground rules or expectations, whether expressly made or implied.

The wedding feast we read about today is one in which the master sent his servants to invite as many as they could find because the invited guests turned down the invitation. While not providing reasons for the invitation therefore, the servants would have ensured they mentioned “this invitation is to a wedding feast”. In which case, those who accepted the invitation, would have considered appropriate apparel. However, one man was found in the feast not dressed for the occasion.

For the wedding feast discussed, everything was ready, suggesting nothing was left to be done by the guests. Regardless, the decision to accept the invitation came with an inherent responsibility. Beloved, specific demands are expected from the moment you accept any invitation, whether to the table of men or a place at God’s feast. That is your contribution.

All the heavy lifting may have been done for you, all that remains is the effort you make to show your commitment to honoring that invitation. If you find that hard, then even with “everything ready, you can still be kicked out of the feast” because you failed to make minimal personal effort.

#sly