October 15th Virtual Worship
Music Ministry Team: Kristin Petty, Dwight Huntley, Jenna Crafts
Worship Team: Sarah Haas, Marc Hayden
Technology Team: Michael Kendall, Mark Raker, Jerry Weissinger
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Key Notes from the reading & sermon:
Invite Everyone
The Parable of the Wedding Banquet
Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying: ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come. Again he sent other slaves, saying, “Tell those who have been invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.” But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his slaves, maltreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then he said to his slaves, “The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.” Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests.
‘But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing a wedding robe, and he said to him, “Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?” And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, “Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
[Reading above - Matthew 22:1-13]
Jesus tells parables to invite thought and dialogue. They are usually challenging to understand with a number of different interpretations, and they often have a twist that surprises. The Parable of the Wedding Banquet does not disappoint, offering plenty to think about and some wild twists and turns. My interpretation includes contrast and comparison. The king provides a sharp contrast to the ways and values of God. The king is erratic, unreasonable, and disproportionate in his reactions and pronouncements, not unlike human rulers who are almost always corrupted by power. In contrast, God is not corrupted by power but instead is influential by the power of love. God does not act like the king in the story who sends others to do his bidding and when he feels slighted responds with violence. God’s way is demonstrated by Jesus who resists the temptation to violence, instead choosing non-violent resistance that ultimately overcomes evil and death. This twist is added to another—the exemplar of kingdom living are the slaves who leave no one out in their invitation to the banqueting table.
Questions for Reflection:
How do you interpret this parable? What is surprising to you? What is a takeaway that will help you follow Jesus more faithfully?
A Spiritual Practice to Try
Set your dinner table this week with an extra place or two to share God’s love.
A Practice to Deepening Discipleship
Incorporate a faith journal in your spiritual practice. Use the journal as a way to:
jot down needs and blessings with words or drawings or pictures, respond to the questions for reflection in the sermon notes, make notes about the weekly scripture lessons and sermons, create a to-do list of discipleship actions, list questions you want to explore, write prayers, stories, poems, or letters, be creative!
If you need some guidance or support, you may reach me at pastormarc.friedensucc@outlook.com