I don’t like to go to parties unless I am invited. Otherwise, I feel like I will be ‘called out’ and forced to leave. Awkward!!! Jesus revealed what God is like by telling stories, using analogies and parables. Some people understood because God was revealing Himself to them (eg. the disciples). Sometimes Jesus had to decode the meaning for them. Today, we have the advantage of the ‘whole story’ and the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit who leads and guides us into all truth. When Jesus described the kingdom of heaven as a place where God’s Son will be forever honored, He reminded us that forgiven people enter in through repentance and God’s grace. But that grace is not cheap… we still must be clothed with the fruit of repentance which is an ever-transforming life through obedience to Jesus’ teaching. Otherwise, we would be “unclothed” and thrown out.
Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who held a wedding feast for his son. Matthew 22:1-2 NASB But when the king came in to look over the dinner guests, he saw a man there who was not dressed in wedding clothes, and he *said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without wedding clothes?’ And the man was speechless. Then the king said to the servants, ‘Tie his hands and feet, and throw him into the outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth in that place.’ For many are called, but few are chosen.” 11-14.
What evidence is there that I am being clothed more and more in the righteousness of God? Am I clear it is of His doing and not my own righteousness?
God, as this day begins- I am praying again for the healing of Maria’s eyes. Like you did Jesus when You were on earth, touch them, rub mud in them, restore her vision as a sign of Your compassion and love. As I minister at the funeral today, please select for me the words appropriate as these two sisters honor their mother. And when I finish the day with the cutie grandkids- Kennedy, Carter, and Avery- I pray it will be fun for them as I create a Dance Party in the living room!
