The Wedding: No Shoes? No Service!

In Jesus Holy Name October 5, 2020

Text: Matthew 22:2, 11-14 Redeemer

The Wedding: No shoes? No Service!

In my experience weddings equal “party time”! People love to attend wedding receptions. There is food, wine and music. They are fun. People want to celebrate life. Jesus told the parable of a father who rejoiced at the return of a wayward son. The father prepared a big celebration, food, wine, and music. This is what God is like when a wayward child returns home. The elder brother was invited to the same party. We just don’t know if he joined the celebration.

Can you remember back to July 29th, 1981? That was the day Prince Charles married Lady Diana. What a production! In preparation for the event, London cleaned itself up. Buses were painted with bows. Parks bloomed with Charles’ royal crest outlined in flower blossoms. Only 2,500 special people, very special people were invited. Top hats, fancy dresses… everyone dressed to the nines.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding was no less spectacular. Meghan and Harry’s wedding ceremony took place at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle. Their wedding was followed by a beautiful carriage ride with all the king’s horses and all the king’s men riding in regal retire. After the carriage ride the couple went to Buckingham Palace where the Queen hosted a lunch for 650 guests. It was a celebration!

Paparazzi were everywhere. Back in the 1st century Jesus would have been in a lot of the photos. He would have gotten past the velvet rope at any club in in town. He was in high demand as a guest. Why? Because Jesus was the life of every party. He made better wine when the old wine ran out. Even less than kosher people often hosted VIP events for him. Jesus loved celebrations. He always talked about the angels in heaven rejoicing when a sinner comes home. (from The Bad Habits of Jesus” Leonard Sweet p. 81)

We know that God throws a party when ever one of his lost sheep, or prodigal

child comes home. God favored Abel’s roasted lamb and delighted in the smell of

sacrifice offered to His Name. When David brought the Ark of the Covenant to

Jerusalem, there was dancing, singing and jubilation. According to David’s wife… maybe a little too much dancing. . I wonder….Have we become too stuffy? Have we missed all the fun?

Listen to the words of celebration in Revelation 19 when all the saints are gathered around God’s throne in heaven at the marriage feast of the Lamb and His bride, the Church.

“Hallelujah! I heard the sound like the roar of rushing waters, loud peals of

thunder. Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory! For the wedding of

the Lamb has come and His bride, the church has made herself ready. Fine

linen, bright and clean was given to her to wear.” Blessed are those who are

invited to the wedding celebration.” In the parable today Jesus is reminding

every listener…. God does not want anyone to miss the wedding party.

Each Sunday should be a celebration party… a day to remember the Resurrection. Each week should be a celebration of God’s amazing gift of Jesus, "The Marriage Supper of the Lamb." The wedding celebration will be the most spectacular display of grandeur and elegance ever seen. We will see the new heaven and earth, the new garden of Eden, the music and food will put the two English royal weddings to shame.

Over the past few weeks our reading in the Gospel of Matthew tells us that the Palm Sunday parade is over. Jesus has been teaching in the temple courts. He has told countless parables. The Parable of the Two Sons. The Parable of the Tenants. And now the Parable of the Wedding Banquet.

Weddings always create high expectations. Celebrations bring families together. Food, wine, dance combined with just the right atmosphere, and the bride in all her glorious dress. It is a beauty to behold. I guarantee that every one of you men remember the beauty of your bride as she came down the aisle. You see, almost from the moment she is born, most women start planning their perfect wedding. There is no aspect of the wedding which is too minute, too microscopic, to minuscule to escape her notice. The selection of music for the arrival of the bride, the flowers and candles on the table. The choice of wine, the hours in the beauty salon and the selection of the wedding dress are critical.

In our culture these days “destinations weddings are popular. I guess the church is too stuffy…! The location is a winery, a ranch, or even requesting the guest to travel to a romantic destination. Hawaii, Italy or France. It may limit the number of guests, but it is about creating a celebration to remember. Thousands of dollars are spent.