Invitation

“Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.”  Matthew 22:9 (NRSV)

Read Matthew 22:1-14.

This parable (or parables) of the wedding banquet immediately follows the parable of the wicked tenants (Matthew 21:33-46). Jesus continues to speak to the religious leaders who want to arrest him (Matthew 21:46).

The parable of the wedding banquet of the king’s son has significant political overtones which can be easily overlooked. Think about it ... It would be imperative for those invited to attend the wedding feast of the king’s son, not only to show respect, gratitude and honor for the invitation, but also as an expression of loyalty to the heir to the throne. To turn down such an invitation would not only be socially rude; it would be politically rebellious (and perhaps even politically suicidal). Allegiance is at stake. Excuses would hardly be acceptable; and unlike the parallel parable in Luke’s Gospel (Luke14:15-24) where a variety of excuses are given, those invited in Matthew’s parable offer none. Instead, they “made light” (the Greek word implies a response of apathy and disregard) of the invitation (vs. 5).

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