Before I Leave... The Wedding Banquet of the Son
[powerpress]
Lent began this past week with Ash Wednesday. The traditional purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer for the commemoration of the sacrificial death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus through repentance, restitution, almsgiving, and self-denial.
Before He made His exit from His earthly ministry, there were certain big ideas that Jesus wanted to emphasize that were to be of utmost importance to His followers and to the world. Over the next several weeks, we will finish the Gospel of Matthew by looking at a number of these things. To begin, we will study why eternal, lasting success is about embracing two concepts: that everything is really all about Jesus, and, because of that, we must always look to first give God what is God's in our lives.
It's All About the Son
Throughout the Bible, God's relationship with His people is described utilizing the metaphor of a marriage. In betrothal language, one of the strongest promises that Jesus ever made was that He is going to prepare an eternal home for those that would love Him (John 14). The entry into this home would begin with the wedding banquet of the Son of God, who will be united forever with His church.
Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come. “Then he sent some more servants and said, ‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.’ “But they paid no attention and went off—one to his field, another to his business. The rest seized his servants, mistreated them and killed them. The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. “Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. So go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.’ So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, the bad as well as the good, and 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 wedding clothes. He asked, ‘How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend?’ The man was speechless. “Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ “For many are invited, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:1-14 NIV)
The philosophy of humanism tells us that the world and what we are to do with what we know about it is to be centered around us. It is up to us to decide what is right, what is best for us, what things are valuable, and, thus, what we should give ourselves to.
“Life has no meaning a priori… It is up to you to give it a meaning, and value is nothing but the meaning that you choose.” ― Jean-Paul Sartre
However, Jesus said, “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son." (Matthew 22:2 NIV)
In that day, two invitations were sent out to parties - one with an RSVP for the host to make preparations, and one letting you know that it is time to come because everything is ready. The people in your life who have been making invitations to you (whether family members, co-workers, neighbors, or friends) to grow in your relationship with Jesus are the servants of the King represented in this story.
There are two responses to the King's invitation that exist in the world:
1) Those who vehemently reject the King's authority and invitation in vitriolic rebellion
“…I want atheism to be true and am made uneasy by the fact that some of the most intelligent and well-informed people I know are religious believers. It isn't just that I don't believe in God and, naturally, hope that I'm right in my belief. It's that I hope there is no God! I don't want there to be a God; I don't want the universe to be like that.
"My guess is that this cosmic authority problem is not a rare condition and it is responsible for much of the scientism and reductionism of our time. One of the tendencies it supports is the ludicrous overuse of evolutionary biology to explain everything about life, including everything about the human mind. Darwin enabled modern secular culture to heave a great collective sigh of relief, by apparently providing a way to eliminate purpose, meaning and design as fundamental features of the world. -Thomas Nagel, 1997, The Last Word, Oxford University Press, October 2001
2) Those who are preoccupied with other legitimate things, but have their priorities out of order
The term "paid no attention" - (Greek word amalea) meant to ignore or neglect.
The king still says that they do not deserve to come because, in their excuses, they did not put him first. This is the challenge in the city when you are trying to achieve. Please do not find yourself there.
Many of us have gotten stuck in the realm of the first invitation, merely making a decision to attend the banquet by saying a prayer, or having some moment of intellectually accepting Jesus. It's one thing to an accept an invitation, it's another to do what it takes and put forth the effort to make your way to the occasion. Paul exhorted the Philippian church to "Work out your salvation with fear and trembling" (Philippians 2:12), speaking of the sanctification that followed a profession of faith. In biblical times, the term "faith" and "belief" were not reduced to a mental assent, but a trust through which you committed your whole life trajectory to following and obeying your instructor - in this case, Jesus. This is the essence of being a disciple, which is the only thing that Jesus is looking for. You don't want to spend the rest of your life making excuses as to why you are not making your way to the party through a life of devotion to God.
“This is the most dangerous trial of all, when there is no trial and every thing goes well; for then a man is tempted to forget God, to become too bold and to misuse times of prosperity.” ― Martin Luther, A Treatise on Good Works
Are you saying I have to choose between my responsibilities and my pursuit of God?
No. As we'll see in a moment, Jesus said to give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's. What God requires is the first and best of all of your time, talent, and resources in worship of Him as a continued acknowledgement of His provision for you. This leads you into a contextualized pursuit of His purposes (Prov. 3:5-10; Matthew 6:25-34; Romans 11:16). With this type of heart, you strive to become the best worker, student, spouse, parent, and citizen that you can be. The difference when giving Jesus your first and your best is that you are fueled by God, not merely your own efforts, and you are able to walk in His grace.
The good news is that everyone is a candidate for this banquet - "the bad as well as the good" (v. 10); those who seem to have it all together and those whose lives are falling apart. The key to entry to the banquet is the right clothing.
It will not be by your own good works or efforts through which you come through the door, but only through Jesus and what He has done on the cross for you (Romans 13:11-14). The one who tries to earn their way in will have the same fate as the rebellious, as both have a root of self-sufficiency and pride. At the same time, once you realize this, then you live out a real faith, understanding that faith without works is dead (James 2:14-26).
You make your way to an important banquet through:
1) A study of the etiquette and decorum
This is done through a study of the Word of God.
2) A readiness in your heart to interact with the other guests. This is also helpful to get an objective spot check on how you are dressed from others.
This is done through a participation in the community of God.
3) A prepared gift for the wedding couple
This is done through our giving.
4) Ongoing communication with the bride and groom to ensure that you've RSVP'd and there is a seat saved for you.
This is done through a life of prayer to God.
5) As you find yourself part of the family and close friends of the groom, providing service throwing showers, helping with the invitations, and the like.
This is done as service in and through the church. Find your place today.
Giving God What Is God's
If life is all about the Son, then you prioritize your life in such a way that reflects this realization. God does not expect to get your leftovers in any part of your life whether it be your finances, your time, your emotions, or your thoughts (as is spoken of in Malachi). He expects your first and your best. This is worship. Anything less is an offense to the cosmic King.
Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are. Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?” But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away. (Matthew 22:15-22 NIV)
Taxes are clear in our land, and you know exactly how much you owe. A tithe is what you owe God. The tithe is used to extend Jesus' Kingdom through the local church.
The Old Testament concept of giving God what is God's was a precept with which Jesus was intimately acquainted. In the New Testament, Jesus repeated this theme, reinforcing it as a generosity principle that the church is to live by rather than a dispensational law that has become obsolete. You do this, within each pay period, by giving a tenth of the gross of all that you receive from God through your work, industry, and gifts as a part of your worship of Jesus. This is how you acknowledge His provision in your life. The leaders of the church, including the pastor's family, follow the same pattern.
In the New Covenant, the tithe is a baseline standard for giving in the church. It is to be the floor, not the ceiling to our generosity. An offering and almsgiving go above your tithe and is a matter of being generous. In addition to the needs of the local church, it can also be about extending Jesus' Kingdom borders beyond the local house. With offerings, you can designate gifts to special projects, etc.
If you have ever been host to a party, and not just the participant who comes and eats all of the chips, drinks all of the soda, eats all of the cake, and leaves a big mess for everyone else to clean up, you know that it comes with an expense to make it great. Birthday parties when you have kids will show you this.
Once you've accepted the invitation, you mature into being one of those who are making the invitation, helping to host.
Once again, I can say, "thank you so much for your giving, Second City!" You are those who not only show up at the party, but help to put it on. More and more, I believe that we are learning to put Jesus first, and are seeing the type of heart reflected in The Auction.
The Auction
Years ago, there was a very wealthy man who, with his devoted young son, shared a passion for collecting art. Together they traveled around the world, buying only the finest art treasures. Priceless works by Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet and many others adorned the walls of the family estate. The widowed elder man looked on with satisfaction as his only child became an experienced art collector. The son's trained eye and sharp business mind caused his father to beam with pride as they dealt with art collectors around the world. As winter approached, war engulfed the nation, and the young man left to serve his country. After only a few short weeks, his father received a telegram. His beloved son was missing in action. The art collector anxiously awaited more news, fearing he would never see his son again. Within days, his fears were confirmed, the young man had died while rushing a fellow soldier to a medic. Distraught and lonely, the old man viewed the upcoming Christmas holidays with anguish and sadness. The joy of the season, that he and his son had so looked forward to, would visit his house no longer.
On Christmas morning a knock on the door awakened the depressed, old man. As he walked to the door, the expensive masterpieces of art on the walls only reminded him that his son was not coming home. As he opened the door, he was greeted by a soldier with a large package in his hands. He introduced himself to the man by saying, "I was a friend of your son. I was the one he was rescuing when he died. May I come in for a few moments? I have something to show you." As the old man began unwrapping the package, the paper gave way to reveal a portrait of his deceased son. Though the world would never consider it the work of a genius, the painting featured the young man's face in striking detail. Overcome with emotion, he thanked the soldier, promising to hang the picture above the fireplace. A few hours later, after the soldier had departed, the old man set about his task. True to his word, the painting went above the fireplace, pushing aside thousands of dollars worth of art. His task completed, the old man sat in his chair and spent Christmas gazing at the gift he had been given.
During the days and weeks that followed, the man realized that even though his son was no longer with him, the boy's life would live on because of those he had touched. He would soon learn that his son had rescued dozens of wounded soldiers before a bullet stilled his caring heart. As the stories of his son's gallantry continued to reach him, and fatherly pride and satisfaction began to ease his grief, the painting of his son became his most prized possession, far eclipsing any interest in the expensive pieces for which museums around the world clamored. He told his neighbors his son's painting was the greatest gift he had ever received.
The following spring, the old man became ill and passed away. The art world was in anticipation that with the collector's passing, and his only son dead, those paintings would be sold at auction. According to the will of the old man, all of the art works would be auctioned on Christmas Day, because on this day he had received his greatest gift.
The day soon arrived and art collectors from around the world gathered to bid on some of the world's most spectacular paintings. Dreams would be fulfilled this day - greatness would be achieved as many would be able to claim, "I have the greatest collection." The auction began with a painting that was not on any museum's list. It was the painting of the man's son. The auctioneer asked for an opening bid, but the room was silent. "Who will open the bidding with $100?" he asked.
Minutes passed and no one spoke. Finally, from the back of the room came a voice, "Who cares about that painting? It's just a picture of his son. Let's forget about it and move on to the good stuff." Many voices echoed in agreement.
"No, we have to sell this one first," replied the auctioneer. "Now who will take the son?" Finally, a neighbor of the old man spoke. "Will you take $10 for the painting? That's really all I have - and since I knew the boy, I'd like to have the painting."
After more silence, the auctioneer said, "I have ten dollars, will anyone go higher?" Then the auctioneer said, "Going once, Going twice, Gone." The gavel fell. Cheers filled the room and someone exclaimed, "Now we can get on with it and we can bid on the real treasures!" The auctioneer looked at the audience and announced that the auction was over.
Stunned disbelief quieted the room. Then someone spoke up and asked, "What do you mean, it's over? We didn't come here to bid on a picture of some old guy's son. What about all of these other paintings? There are millions of dollars worth of art here! I demand that you explain what is going on!" Other voices raised in agreement.
The auctioneer raised his hand and the room quieted. He then replied, "It's very simple. The attorney for this estate has indicated that according to the father's will, whoever takes the son, gets everything."
Life is an auction. We are the buyers. There are material things to acquire and spiritual things to acquire. How often do we, as these art dealers, quest after great material things which appear to have great value, while spurning those spiritual things which seem inconsequential but will later govern our eternal life? It doesn't seem like much of a price to pay when we accept the love of Jesus Christ into our hearts. It is free, and our expression of loyalty and obedience in return, almost seems negligible. Perhaps we too need to discover once again, as these art dealers, that when you have the Son, you have everything!
-Author Unknown
Second City Church- Before I Leave...Sermon Series 2014