But what is an invitation? An invitation is to request someone to be present, a summons to participate, or an attempt to get someone to join or to arrive at a specific event.
The Parable of the Great Feast
The man with Jesus saw the brilliance of God’s Kingdom, yet he did not yet see how to get in. In Jesus’ story, many people turned down the solicitation to the dinner, because, according to them, the circumstance was badly arranged. In other words, they considered the timing to be inconvenient. We also can oppose or postpone reacting to God’s greeting, and our reasons may sound sensible to us. Our work obligations, family duties, monetary need, or many others might be the situation. In any case, God’s invitation is the most important occurrence in our lives, regardless of how awkwardly the timing could or may be. Is it true that we are rationalizing to try not to react to God’s call? Jesus advises us that there will be a time when God quits inviting us, and it will be past the point where it is possible to get into the banquet (Matthew 22:1-10).
The Invitation
In Biblical times, sending out two invitations to a party was standard. The first invitation was to declare that an important occasion was to happen; this is a preliminary invitation. The subsequent invitation was to express that the occasion was presently prepared and that the time has come to show up. The guests in Jesus' story had offended the host by rationalizing (making excuses) when he gave out the second invitation. In Israel's past history, God's first invitation came from Moses and the prophets; the following invitation came from His Son, Jesus. The religious leaders had acknowledged the first invitation by accepting that God had called them to be His people, however they offended God by declining to acknowledge His Son. Subsequently, as this certain man in the story sent his worker into the roads to welcome the penniless to his feast, so too did God send his Son to the entire universe of destitute individuals to let them know that God's Kingdom had come and was prepared for them (Revelation 19:9; Isaiah 1:18).
Inspecting the Invitation
In this chapter, we read Jesus' words against looking for status, and for challenging work and, surprisingly, that of suffering. We should not neglect to focus on the motivation behind the entirety of our modesty and benevolence, which is a glorious feast with our Lord. God never requests that we languish only for the purpose of receiving affliction. He never requests that we quit any trace of something that is good except if He intends to supplant it with something surprisingly better. He is not calling us to go along with Him in a work camp yet into a banquet, the “marriage supper of the Lamb” (Revelation 19:6-9). That is when God and His dearest church will be combined together for all eternity.
The Second Invitation
As we have read through these verses, we have noticed that the guests insulted the host with excuses when the second invitation was sent. The first man was concerned with his possessions. The second man was concerned with his business. The third man was concerned with his family. So, what was the host supposed to do? The table was set, food had been prepared, but there was no one arriving to partake of it. The only other option was to invite and present the feast to others (Acts 13:46).
The Importance of the Invitation
The invitation is Providential. This means it is occurring at an opportune time, thereby the invitation is needful. The invitation is Practical. That means it is suitable for a particular purpose; the invitation is useful. The invitation is Public. When something is public, it generally concerns the people as a whole, and it affects all. The invitation is Private. The invitation is affecting or involving a particular person, so it is intended for a specific person. The invitation is Personal. This is affecting or concerning only one individual, you.
The Intention of the Invitation
When a ship is sinking, do we have to invite other people to get into the lifeboat? The size of the boat is not the problem; it is that there are not enough rowers. The entrance to heaven is by God’s invitation only. We cannot buy our way in or use our social status to get into heaven. When God calls, humanity will have to answer in one way or another. If people act today as did these pious Jews, the invitation may not come again.
Matthew 8:12, But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Matthew 21:43, Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.
Hebrews 3:18-19, And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.
Acts 26:28, Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.
The Idling of the Invitation
This passage of Scripture has been about someone preparing a great supper. He sent his servant out to invite people to come and dine with him. Unfortunately, many people decline the invitation for various reasons. What do we see with the last verse of this passage?
“That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.”
This parable teaches us that it is futile to sit idly by with this invitation. The man increased his invitation so that more people would be invited. God has increased His invitation to include more than the Jewish people. It includes the Gentiles, the people of the world. The man had isolated those who were invited yet refused the invitation form partaking of the supper. God can also isolate those who do not accept the invitation of salvation from His Son Jesus.
An invitation of grace has been extended to all of humanity. It is up to the individual whether to accept this invitation into salvation and ascend eternity in heaven, or to decline the invitation and spend eternity in hell.
Is the invitation for your salvation, or is it for you to get your heart right with God?
