From the Pastor

Begging the Beggars to Come - Matthew 22:1-14

The king sent His servants again, and again, and again to beg the beggars to come to the wedding feast. 

But those whom the king begged to come did not know they themselves were beggars, and they would not come. But that is not all; they also seized the servants and treated them spitefully and killed them. 

"Please come," was heard as, "you must come." They would not be told what to do by Him. They would not celebrate with Him and eat His food. They did not like being made to feel like they were lacking, needing a savior, needing food.

And yet, He begged them. They thought they were the real kings, and He was the beggar. So, they thought they could do what they wanted.

We ourselves aren't into weddings like the Lord is into weddings. We are into living together and divorce; we are into drunkenness and drinking to forget what we have done with our lives. We are into ourselves. We want to be God, and not His subjects.

But God is into justice; He is not Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny. He is the God who destroys. He is like a king who reigns! And so, He brings forth vengeance upon those who kill His servants.

The Lord will always have His way. He calls and ordains more and more men to be sent out to the sinners. They call out and invite, "All is ready! The feast is free!" 

Some came - we came - we came and were covered with the Lord's own garments and righteousness. We were guilty - and now we rejoice in the grace and freedom of Christ.

Keep the garment on! Do not take it off as the beggar in the parable. He took off his garment, thinking God would accept him as he was. He got tired of the garment, but God accepts on His terms, not man's.

We do not remind Him of who we are, but He reminds us of who He is! He is the Lord! 

He is into wedding feasts, and grace, and forgiveness; and He wants you there! Come! Receive the Gifts of Heaven, forgiveness, life, and eternal salvation! For free!

See you Sunday!

+Pastor Gaub