The Parable of the Wedding Banquet
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.'
Reference: Matthew 22:1-14
The Grand Invitation
A powerful CEO planned an extravagant gala to celebrate his company’s anniversary. He sent personalized invitations to his closest business associates and influential figures. However, many ignored the invitation, claiming they were too busy, while some even mocked the event. Frustrated but determined, the CEO opened the invitation to everyone, from the lowest-level employees to people off the street. Those who were once considered unworthy entered the grand event and enjoyed a night of joy and celebration. Jesus used this parable to illustrate that God’s invitation to His Kingdom is open to all, not just those who think they deserve it. The message is clear: humility and willingness to accept God’s grace matter more than status or self-righteousness. Those who ignore God’s invitation to be part of His Kingdom risk missing out on eternal joy.