Morning Devotional 100123 Come to the Feast

Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room

October 1, 2023

Matthew 22:1-10

1 Jesus responded by speaking again in parables: 2 “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding party for his son. 3 He sent his servants to call those invited to the wedding party. But they didn’t want to come. 4 Again, he sent other servants and said to them, ‘Tell those who have been invited, “Look, the meal is all prepared. I’ve butchered the oxen and the fattened cattle. Now everything’s ready. Come to the wedding party!” ’ 5 But they paid no attention and went away—some to their fields, others to their businesses. 6 The rest of them grabbed his servants, abused them, and killed them. 7 “The king was angry. He sent his soldiers to destroy those murderers and set their city on fire. 8 Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding party is prepared, but those who were invited weren’t worthy. 9 Therefore, go to the roads on the edge of town and invite everyone you find to the wedding party.’ 10 “Then those servants went to the roads and gathered everyone they found, both evil and good. The wedding party was full of guests.

Good Morning. Happy Lord’s Day!

Planning a party is an interesting challenge. The bigger the party, the more problems are possible. I think of those large events like a wedding party where people are assigned to sit at a specific table. You have to consider who can sit with whom! You don’t want those who don’t get along at the same table. In the parable, I find it interesting that it specified those they found represented both evil and good.

What if you threw a party and no one came? You plan, purchase the food, set up, decorate, and cook, but no one comes. Did you remember to send out the invitations?

We are called to go to the ends of the earth and make disciples. Do we eagerly invite others to join us at God’s table? The feast awaits all those who hear the call and answer.

On this World Communion Sunday, let us open our hearts and invite all to the table of the Lord. Let us gather all that we find and invite them to the party.

Healing God, We love you! We come and share in your bounty. Give us the strength to invite others, both evil and good, to join in the blessings of your table. In the name of Christ, we pray. Amen

Thought for the day: All are welcome at God’s table. Are they welcome at ours?

Join the feast! Pastor Liz