Living in the Spirit
October 15, 2023
Scripture Reading: Matthew 22:1-14
Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying: ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come. Again he sent other slaves, saying, “Tell those who have been invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.” But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his slaves, maltreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then he said to his slaves, “The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.” Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests.
‘But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing a wedding robe, and he said to him, “Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?” And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, “Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” For many are called, but few are chosen.’
Ragweed and my super-sensitive sinus membranes do not mix well. Thus, at this time of the year, I am one of the few people who wait for a hard freeze with great anticipation. Why would I even consider rushing out to rescue a vase full of ragweed and bring it into my home to save it from freezing? The same is true for our decision to follow Jesus Christ. We are renewed in Christ and must let go of all those things that separate us from God. In the above parable, the wedding robe represents the man’s new way of being. When asked why he did not come dressed appropriately, he is described as being speechless. He seemed to have been going with the crowd until he discovered something more would be expected of him. Being separated from God is a very dark place to be.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for being our light to see the best ways to live in your love. Help us keep our eyes on your example to follow. Amen.
All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.