(Nuggets from Matthew 22:8)
Imagine you as King preparing a magnificent banquet for your son, the crown Prince and inviting guests but unfortunately, none of them showed interest, all turning down your invitation.
If you were in the King's shoes, what would be your reaction?
The PARABLE OF THE WEDDING FEAST was a very clear message of our Lord Jesus Christ which He used to depict the provision made for perishing souls in the gospel.
God is the KING, the CHIEF HOST of the ROYAL BANQUET and JESUS CHRIST is His son, the CROWN PRINCE whose wedding invitation was thrown open to UNWORTHY and UNDESERVING GUESTS.
The GUESTS to whom He offered the special invitation first of all were the JEWS, and how did this happen?
The prophets of the Old Testament tried their BEST but couldn't succeed in convincing the Israelites/Jews.
Then came John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus who heralded His coming to the Jews. That couldn't move them either.
Jesus Christ our Lord now came Himself to deliver the message to them PERSONALLY, telling them repeatedly that the kingdom of God was at hand, and what did He get?
Rejection, Betrayal and Conspiracy.
They killed our Lord, the MESSIAH who came to save them.
They were still hoping that their Messiah would come 'from God knows where.'
Jesus resurrected, commissioned His Apostles and prepared them for the task ahead, to pick up the baton and continue from where He left off, sending them the Holy Spirit to comfort, empower and equip them for the task ahead, but they met roadblocks still. They were persecuted and even Martyred, then God arrested one of the chief persecutors of the early church - Saul on his way to wreck more havoc.
He eventually got converted and became the APOSTLE TO THE GENTILES, who took the gospel message to other parts of the world other than Jews.
His message was very clear, that SALVATION WAS NOT JUST FOR THE JEWS, but for the GENTILES too (anyone not an Israeli or Jew).
These GENTILES were the ones to whom the King bade His servants to go to the streets and highways and invite to the wedding banquet.
Since the Jews were not ready, SALVATION was extended to the GENTILES. The Jews have always had a track record of MAKING LIGHT OF THE SALVATION that came to them on a platter of Gold, but fortunately for the rest of humanity, the Jews were not the only ones in God's salvation plan.
The offer of SALVATION to the Gentiles was not expected; it was such a surprise as it would be to wayfaring men, to be invited to a royal wedding-feast.
To QUALIFY for the WEDDING BANQUET - THE MARRIAGE SUPPER OF THE BRIDEGROOM, RIGHTEOUSNESS AND SANCTIFICATION OF THE SPIRIT MAN are prerequisites that must be met - THE WEDDING GARMENTS.
SALVATION IS FOR ALL - THE WEDDING INVITATION, but just like every other wedding, invitees are expected to come prepared, with your invitation card and a dress code to qualify you for CHECKING IN to the banquet hall.
In like manner, anyone who does not take advantage of this call for and window of opportunity that the GENTILES have now to get saved will not be allowed to the marriage supper of the Lamb at the end of time.
Many are called, but few are chosen!
Many are invited to this banquet, but only few will eventually make it at last.
DARE TO BE AMONG THE FEW.
DON'T BE LIKE THE JEWS WHO REJECTED THE OFFER OF SALVATION; MAKE HAY WHILE THE SUN SHINES.
This is HOLINESS CHALLENGE
DAY 360 OF 365🔥
No comments:
Post a Comment