“GO AND INVITE EVERYONE TO THE BANQUET”
The image represents the feet of the Risen Jesus, in motion, showing the wounds of his Passion, yet ready to reach out and invite all to the banquet of his mercy. Likewise, Jesus invites to us to his mission in co-responsibility to bear witness to the power of his resurrection and to bring Jesus’ message of peace and fraternity to the whole world.
THE LAST WORD
COME ALL TO THE BANQUET! (MT 22: 1-14)
BY MATTHEW HENRY
THE GUESTS are called, bidden to the wedding. All that are within hearing of the joyful sound of the gospel, to them is the word of this invitation sent. The servants that bring the invitation do not set down their names on paper; there is no occasion for that, since none are excluded but those that exclude themselves.
Those that are bidden to the dinner are bidden to the wedding; for all who partake of gospel privileges are to give due and respectful attendance on the Lord Jesus, as the faithful friends and humble servants of the Bridegroom. They are bidden to the wedding, that they may go forth to meet the bridegroom; for it is the Father’s will that all men should honour the Son.
The guests are called upon; for in the gospel, there are not only gracious proposals made, but gracious persuasives. “We persuade men, we beseech them in Christ’s stead” (2 Co. 5:11, 20). See how much Christ’s heart is set upon our happiness! He not only provides for us in consideration of our want, but sends to us in consideration of our weakness and forgetfulness.
The guests are called upon; for in the gospel there are not only gracious proposals made, but gracious persuasives. Come, therefore, O come to the marriage.
When the invited guests were slack in coming, “the king sent forth other servants” (v. 4). When the prophets of the Old Testament prevailed not, nor John the Baptist, nor Christ himself, who told them the entertainment was almost ready (the kingdom of God was at hand), the apostles and ministers of the gospel were sent after Christ’s resurrection to tell them it was come, it was quite ready; and to persuade them to accept the offer.
One would think it had been enough to give men an intimation that they had leave to come, and would be welcome; that, during the solemnity of the wedding, the king kept open house. But, because the natural man discerns not, and therefore desires not the things of the Spirit of God, we are pressed to accept the call by the most powerful inducements, drawn with the cords of a man and all the bonds of love.
If the repetition of the call will move us, “Behold, the Spirit saith, Come; and the bride saith, Come; let him that heareth say, Come; let him that is athirst, Come” (Rev. 22:17). If the reason of the call will work upon us, behold, the dinner is prepared, the oxen and fatlings are killed, and all things are ready; the Father is ready to accept us, the Son to intercede for us, the Spirit to sanctify us; pardon is ready; peace is ready, comfort is ready; the promises are ready, as wells of living water for supply; ordinances are ready, as golden pipes for conveyance; angels are ready to attend us; creatures are ready to be in league with us; providences are ready to work for our good; and heaven, at last, is ready to receive us.
It is a kingdom prepared, ready to be revealed in the last time. Is all this ready, and shall we be unready? Is all this preparation made for us, and is there any room to doubt our welcome if we come in a right manner?
Come, therefore, O come to the marriage; “we beseech you, receive not all this grace of God in vain” (2 Co. 6:1).
“DO NOT FEAR THOSE WHO CAN KILL THE BODY, BUT CANNOT KILL LIFE” (MT 10:28)
The advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has raised some concerns and fears regarding our common future as human beings.