We all start on the outside
The outside looking in
This is where grace begins
We were hungry we were thirsty
With nothing left to give
Oh the shape that we were in
Just when all hope seemed lost
Love opened the door for us

He said come to the table
Come join the sinners who have been redeemed
Take your place beside the Savior
Sit down and be set free

Come to the table

Come meet this motley crew of misfits
These liars and these thieves
There’s no one unwelcome here
That sin and shame that you brought with you

You can leave it at the door
And let mercy draw you near

So, come to the table
Come join the sinners who have been redeemed
Take your place beside the Savior

Sit down and be set free
Come to the table
Come to the table…

(Song by Sidewalk Prophets)

Jesus continues his discussion with the religious leaders with yet another story to clarify what they are really doing along with the consequences. 

Matthew 22, The Message

The Story of the Wedding Banquet

^1-3 Jesus responded by telling still more stories. “God’s kingdom,” he said, “is like a king who threw a wedding banquet for his son. He sent out servants to call in all the invited guests. And they wouldn’t come!

⁴ “He sent out another round of servants, instructing them to tell the guests, ‘Look, everything is on the table, the prime rib is ready for carving. Come to the feast!’

^5-7 “They only shrugged their shoulders and went off, one to weed his garden, another to work in his shop. The rest, with nothing better to do, beat up on the messengers and then killed them. The king was outraged and sent his soldiers to destroy those thugs and level their city.

^8-10 “Then he told his servants, ‘We have a wedding banquet all prepared but no guests. The ones I invited weren’t up to it. Go out into the busiest intersections in town and invite anyone you find to the banquet.’ The servants went out on the streets and rounded up everyone they laid eyes on, good and bad, regardless. And so the banquet was on—every place filled.

^11-13 “When the king entered and looked over the scene, he spotted a man who wasn’t properly dressed. He said to him, ‘Friend, how dare you come in here looking like that!’ The man was speechless. Then the king told his servants, ‘Get him out of here—fast. Tie him up and ship him to hell. And make sure he doesn’t get back in.’

¹⁴ “That’s what I mean when I say, ‘Many get invited; only a few make it.’”

To the thief and to the doubter
To the hero and the coward
To the prisoner and the soldier
To the young and to the older
All who hunger all who thirst
All the last and all the first
All the paupers and the princess
All who fail, you’ve been forgiven
All who dream and all who suffer
All who loved and lost another
All the chained and all the free
All who follow all who lead

Anyone who’s been let down
All the lost you have been found
All who have been labeled right or wrong
To everyone who hears this song

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

The Invitation was to the Jews first.  God Chosen people were invited to feast with the promised Messiah, the Reconciler of Man to God, sent to save them and set them right with God—but the leaders, who haven’t heard from God for centuries, no longer hear His voice—only their own. 

When Jesus speaks, they still do not hear God speaking through Him.  So, when the invitation is given, they refuse to “come to the Table” –to celebrate the Bride (The Redeemed) and her Groom (Jesus).  Their refusal becomes aggressive as they deny Jesus as Messiah sent from God.  These religious leaders gather with a plan to have Jesus beaten, slandered, mocked, and cruelly humiliated before crucifying the Son of God. 

Jesus, who knew no sin became sin and paid the price we all should have paid and deserved to pay.  Jesus bought us back from sin’s hold on us.  We can now come to the Table dressed in His holy righteousness.  All who believe have been made right with God because of Jesus’ sacrifice.  Hallelujah!  Oh, what a Savior!

God’s love is poured out to all who come.  Grace is given to the hopeless.  Our Merciful Father sacrificed His Son so that salvation could be offered to all!  Yes! The Table is set for all who believe with hearts, minds and souls open to receive all the nourishment we need from the Head of the Table.  Jesus changes everything. 

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”  John 3:16

Come join the sinners you have been redeemed
Take your place beside the Savior
Sit down and be set free

Oh
Come to the table

Lord,

Thank you for the invitation to come to the Table where salvation is offered freely. Thank you for cleansing our hearts, renewing our minds, feeding our souls and restoring the joy of your salvation at work within us.  Help us to bring others to your Table where they can be filled with all of you as well.

In Jesus Name, Amen