To Busy For Grace

"And again Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying, "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son, and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come. Again he sent other servants, saying, 'Tell those who are invited, "See, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast."' But they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them." - Matthew 22:1-6 ESV

Two interesting reactions to the already prepared feast this King has made. One group is negative but the other just doesn't want to make the time in their schedule.

It is shocking but people go to Hell because they don't have time for Heaven. Amazing.

One writer brought this out in his devotional this morning and it really hit home with me. Time in this day and age is so hard to find. It seems that the more prosperous a culture is the busier it is. In an expensive place free things can seem optional can't they?

God's grace is so free that we don't take it. It is so guilt free and no strings attached that we don't free pressure to receive it so we don't... we work instead.

This parable is about the 'kingdom of Heaven'. Heaven is gentle. Grace doesn't 'leverage' us.

"Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.' And those servants went out into the roads and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests." - Matthew 22:8-10 ESV

Don't worry the feast will be full... full of hungry people... full of people who can not afford expensive meals.

Us.

"But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment. And he said to him, 'Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?' And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, 'Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' For many are called, but few are chosen."" - Matthew 22:11-14 ESV

Four categories of person in all. Who will I be today? The worker, the crusader, the guy who just wants to do his own thing... or the beggar eager for a free meal at God's table.

Like Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9) my legs are lame but no one will see my lameness as I eat at the king's table.

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