Holy Tuesday
The Invitation to the Wedding Feast
Matthew 22:1-14 (NIV)
"Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: 'The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come. Then he sent some more servants and said, ‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.’ But they paid no attention and went off—one to his field, another to his business. The rest seized his servants, mistreated them and killed them. The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. So go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.’ So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, the bad as well as the good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests."
Devotional:
Matthew 22:1-14 illustrates the gracious invitation of God to His kingdom. Initially extended to those deemed worthy, the invitation was rejected by many who were preoccupied with worldly pursuits. Despite their refusal, God's invitation persisted, reaching out to all, regardless of their background or status.
This parable highlights God's boundless grace and His desire for all to partake in the richness of His kingdom. It also serves as a reminder of the consequences of rejecting His invitation.
Reflection Question:
Reflect on your own response to God's invitation to the banquet of His kingdom. Are there any distractions or hindrances preventing you from fully accepting His invitation?
Further Reading:
The events that took place on Holy Tuesday can be read in Luke 20:1-21:36.
Matthew 22:1-14 (NIV)
"Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: 'The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come. Then he sent some more servants and said, ‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.’ But they paid no attention and went off—one to his field, another to his business. The rest seized his servants, mistreated them and killed them. The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. So go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.’ So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, the bad as well as the good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests."
Devotional:
Matthew 22:1-14 illustrates the gracious invitation of God to His kingdom. Initially extended to those deemed worthy, the invitation was rejected by many who were preoccupied with worldly pursuits. Despite their refusal, God's invitation persisted, reaching out to all, regardless of their background or status.
This parable highlights God's boundless grace and His desire for all to partake in the richness of His kingdom. It also serves as a reminder of the consequences of rejecting His invitation.
Reflection Question:
Reflect on your own response to God's invitation to the banquet of His kingdom. Are there any distractions or hindrances preventing you from fully accepting His invitation?
Further Reading:
The events that took place on Holy Tuesday can be read in Luke 20:1-21:36.