Lunchtable Theology | Monday | 9/14

There Is a Place for You

Matthew 22:1–10

Jesus responded by speaking again in parables: “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding party for his son. He sent his servants to call those invited to the wedding party. But they didn’t want to come. Again he sent other servants and said to them, ‘Tell those who have been invited, “Look, the meal is all prepared. I’ve butchered the oxen and the fattened cattle. Now everything’s ready. Come to the wedding party!”’ But they paid no attention and went away—some to their fields, others to their businesses. The rest of them grabbed his servants, abused them, and killed them.

“The king was angry. He sent his soldiers to destroy those murderers and set their city on fire. Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding party is prepared, but those who were invited weren’t worthy. Therefore, go to the roads on the edge of town and invite everyone you find to the wedding party.’

“Then those servants went to the roads and gathered everyone they found, both evil and good. The wedding party was full of guests.

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Jesus tells a story about a king who prepares a wedding feast.

The surprising part is not just that the feast is ready. It is who eventually gets invited.

Everyone.

The servants go out into the streets and gather whoever they can find, “both good and bad.” The invitation is wider than anyone might expect.

That matters because many of us assume God’s table works like a high school cafeteria. We imagine there are insiders and outsiders, people who clearly belong and people who obviously do not.

But Jesus tells a different story.

God has made room.

The invitation is not extended only to the accomplished, respectable, disciplined, or religiously impressive. The table is open because of the generosity of the King.

You do not have to convince God to make a place for you.

There is already a place for you. 

Reflect: 

Do you find it easier to believe that God welcomes others than to believe that God welcomes you?

Pray: 

God, thank you that your invitation is wider than my fear and deeper than my failures. Help me receive your grace and trust that there is truly a place for me at your table. Amen.