Matthew 22:1-14 is the lectionary text for next Sunday, October 11.
The King is always God, and of course Jesus is the Son. A wedding banquet? Hmmm... I am of the mind that, while speculation may be fun at times, there are vital lessons to be learned for life in focusing on what is actually the center of the message.
People are invited to be in the Kingdom of God, the banquet, the feast that has no time or place, for all time and in all places - the Kingdom lived here and now, as well as there, then.
Some folk got no use for it, even belittle the idea. Others are too busy making money. Some are even hostile toward the Kingdom and its values, in light of empire and what they would lose by living Kingdom values, so they mistreat the messengers of Kingdom values by ignoring, silencing or even killing them. Labels such as "communist" and "socialist" come in very handy in 'muriKKKa's iteration of empire, but it is the same as it has been for generations and two thousand years. The Kingdom values of Agape Love, Grace, Community and Shalom for all are not convenient for the devotees of empire and its values of greed, lust for power and desire for status.
So, Jesus in Matthew is signaling to those who have been invited, the religious leaders, civic leaders and others who have professed to be Kingdom people, that now those who will respond will look differently from the traditional folk who have been marginally a part of the Kingdom, both the good and the bad. They are ALL invited.
And the banquet, the Kingdom is filled with guests.
The next part is tricky, and has been used for every manner of manipulation, particularly about what people wear to church. I believe it is much deeper than that. My understanding is that hosts provided wedding garments for those who had none in that time and place. That may be a myth or a true custom of the time.
Regardless, I believe it is about being clothed in the righteousness of the Christ. I believe that we are covered by the redemption of Jesus by Grace in the Kingdom. I believe that coming wrongly attired to the Kingdom means trying to participate in the Kingdom and its values while donning the facade of opulent wealth, the demeanor of power over others and air of superiority in status above others - which are not Kingdom values. I believe it is the white-washed tomb syndrome of those who believe that they can be clothed in their OWN righteousness. To come to this banquet, the feast that has no end, we must come right - humble, equal, valuing equity and generous, aware of our need for Grace and Agape Love and willing to live it with others.
The consequences suffered for not coming are dire. The consequences from coming wrong are devastating.
Refusing to live the Agape Love and Grace of God in Jesus has dire consequences for those in the world around us. To live in the Kingdom necessarily means giving up the falsehoods and values of empire. When we come right, it is truly Good News. We feast for eternity, basking in the Agape and Grace of God with one another. We know what is true, what is uplifting and life-affirming. We know what is joyous and gracious and loving. We know Shalom in the Kingdom, because ALL know Shalom.
Come to the banquet which is the Kingdom of God, here and now. Come, clothed in Christ's righteousness, by Grace, which is a sufficient covering- indeed, the only appropriate attire. Come and live God's Will being done on earth as in heaven. Come to the feast which is lived out now, and has no end.
Pastor Jamie
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