by Izzy

Read: Exodus 15:19-17:7, Matthew 22:1-33, Psalm 27:1-6, Proverbs 6:20-26

And he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, and the guests I invited aren’t worthy of the honor. Now go out to the street corners and invite everyone you see.’
“For many are called, but few are chosen.”
Matthew 22:8-9, 14

Relate: When I first read these verses, the image that came to mind was those random people in the street who hand out flyers for whatever their organization is that they would like you to support. They continuously advertise and hand out brochure after brochure, seemingly to as many people as they possibly can. Oftentimes they don’t even consider the person’s age, money, or circumstance, as I remember as a fifth grader being handed a brochure for renting out an apartment. Their main goal is to spread their message to as many people as possible and to give exposure to their cause. 

This is because they know that there is a possibility that someone, even if it is just one person, has the potential to hear their message and join their cause. They are hopeful that upon the many people they spread their message to, someone will read their flier, and understand their cause. Then after understanding and agreeing with their cause, the reader can make the personal decision to join the cause. However, most people do not actually read the flier, or pay any attention to those handing them out. This is why they continue to hand the brochures out to as many people as possible, hoping that someone will listen.

React: When reading these verses, we can find many different take-aways. First off it brings to our attention the reality that we don’t deserve to be invited to God’s ‘banquet’, yet He graciously invited everyone. It also reminds us that just because we are invited to his banquet, does not mean that we are going. We have to accept his invitation first by accepting him into our hearts and believing in what he has done for us. Lastly, we can live these verses out by doing our part and spreading the ‘invitation’, the gospel, to as many people as we can. We should be just as eager as those handing out brochures and fliers in the street, telling as many people as we can, hopeful that one will accept this invitation.

Respond:

Dear Lord,
We thank you for inviting us to your kingdom, an invitation that nobody deserves. We pray that those who receive your invitation will accept the invitation, realizing how much of a blessing your invitation is. Give us the heart and courage to share your invitation with others, as many as we can, without fearing embarrassment, backlash, or judgment. We pray this in your name,
Amen.

Nearly all posts in February and March have as special guest authors the Juniors from the Christian Living class at Faith Academy.