In my lifetime I have held so many events and sent so many invitations that I can not count them. When sending an invitation, I always ask for a response as to whether they will or will not attend. Unfortunately, most ignore the R.S.V.P. Is this you? Do you ignore invitations or the proper response? Almost every event that is of importance has an invitation. Yet, there is one invitation that has eternal value, and there must be a response. Are you invited to the Kingdom of Heaven, if so have you complied with the R.S.V.P.
In Matthew 22:1-14, Jesus is teaching about those who were invited to a Wedding Feast. In verse 2, He instructs them that the Kingdom of Heaven is similar to this King who made a wedding feast for his son. He sent his servants out to bid those who had an invitation to come and they would not come. He sent other servants to tell them that he had prepared a great dinner for them, but again they made light of it and went their way. They had not seen the importance of the invitation. They were consumed with selfish desires, and therefore, they gave the wrong response.
Matthew 22:1-5 “And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:”
Romans 10:12-13 teaches us that all people, no matter their background, education, economic status, or whatever difference there may be, are invited to this feast. “For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” This whosoever means you are invited! This shows us His grace and love that He has for us. While each of us has an invitation, the feast does not come without action on our part. Those who rejected the invitation will be rejected by God for all eternity.
In Matthew 22:11-13 a man was offered an invitation, and this man decided he would attend, and he did, but He failed to put on the wedding garment. It was customary for the King to have white robes made for guests who did not have proper clothing to wear to the wedding. It was available, but this guest decided he could do things his way, and he wore his own clothing. He did not follow the proper means of attending and the King had him cast into Hell!
Matthew 22:11-13 “And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
When the first group rejects the invitation, the King sends out servants to invite anyone they can find from the streets and highways, showing that God’s offer is open to all who are willing to come. We have an open invitation to live forever with God, but we cannot attend this eternal event unless we do it God’s way.
First, we must recognize that we are a sinner. Romans 3:23 teaches us that “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Our merit does not measure up to the standard of God. He is perfect and we are not.
Second, we must understand that unforgiven sin brings eternal death in Hell, yet God offers us the gift of salvation. Romans 6:23 teaches us this truth. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Third, as sinners condemned to death in Hell, we are helpless and hopeless on our own. Because of God’s love for us He demonstrated His gift by giving the life of His perfect Son Jesus. Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrated his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Fourth, we must admit that we are a sinner and seek forgiveness. We must own our sins. Romans 10:9-10 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Confession invites the forgiveness of God. Once we have admitted to God that we know we are a sinner in need of a Savior we must then repent of our sins. To repent means to turn away. We are walking away from our sins and turning to God. It is a change of direction in our lives. We are ready to take our stand and let everyone know who we belong to. We are not ashamed to declare our belief in Jesus Christ. This belief is not just a head knowledge, but it encompasses our whole being, our mind, which is our will, and our heart, which is our emotions. Romans 10:10-11 “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.”
So, are you invited? The answer is yes because the invitation is open to all. However, there are conditions to your acceptance of the invitation. Have you put on the wedding garment provided by Jesus? If so, are you living a transformed life of faith and obedience to His word? If you have accepted the invitation but failed to obey, God offers restoration. I John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”