Many Are Called

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, mistreated 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.” Matthew 22:1-14 

So many bible passages have been used to keep people out through out Christian history, this one included. It is a shame. Folks are using bible verses to build a border wall and displace people. Shame. It truly is not how people dress or what language they use. It is their heart. Those who have privilege think that they have made it. Those who scream and dance in church might too. The self righteous attitude is the biggest fail. The humble and lowly, the poor and the desperate mother trying to find a new life for her little ones, these are truly those who will go in. 

Jesus knows his audience. He has religious leaders in the crowd who are trying to catch him up. They know the story is about them. They think they can disregard invitations, they are too important for small affairs and they love shunning others telling them they are undeserving, They had privilege by birth and stature and used it to destroy others. Whether privileged or not, we are invited to humble our hearts and live as children of a loving God here and now.

I ask God to help me not judge others or act superior in any way. We are all in need of being invited and welcomed. May we humbly share God's love and welcome with all.