Come

Calligraphy has been a hobby of mine since middle school where I learned the art during a study of colonial America. I’ve often copied the handwriting styles of others I’ve admired, but I’m not the perfectionist I am with many things. I simply enjoy it.

I’ve addressed wedding invitations for all three of my children and a niece, but the far more challenging task was deciding who to invite. I hold people close to my heart and have difficulty excluding anyone. Weddings have become such elaborate and costly affairs that the guest list must be limited, and much more so during the pandemic when my youngest was married. But there will be a great wedding feast where all are invited. As believers in Christ, we are the King’s heralds charged with extending His invitation.

“Then I heard again what sounded like the shout of a vast crowd or the roar of mighty ocean waves or the crash of loud thunder: “Praise the Lord! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns. Let us be glad and rejoice, and let us give honor to him. For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb, and his bride has prepared herself. She has been given the finest of pure white linen to wear.” For the fine linen represents the good deeds of God’s holy people.

And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb.” And he added, “These are true words that come from God.” Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said, “No, don’t worship me. I am a servant of God, just like you and your brothers and sisters who testify about their faith in Jesus. Worship only God. For the essence of prophecy is to give a clear witness for Jesus. ”

Revelation 19:6-10 NLT

https://www.bible.com/116/rev.19.6-10.nlt

In Matthew 22, Jesus told a story to illustrate His kingdom, the Kingdom of heaven, about a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. The invited guests refused his invitation, giving one excuse after another, even ignoring or mistreating his messengers and going about their business. In his anger, the king “said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, and the guests I invited aren’t worthy of the honor. Now go out to the street corners and invite everyone you see.’”

Matthew 22:8-9 NLT

https://www.bible.com/116/mat.22.8-9.nlt

All were invited, no matter their status, station in life, or family history, but not all were allowed to enter. The king greeted the guests, and noticing one not wearing wedding attire, questioned him, but the man had no reply. This is our part in the story Jesus shared that day. By faith in Jesus, we are clothed in His righteousness. This is the only reply that matters!

“For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.”

2 Corinthians 5:19-21 NLT

https://www.bible.com/116/2co.5.19-21.nlt

The King has said, “All may come!” The One with unlimited resources has not excluded anyone from His invitation. What an honor to know the Son intimately! Our place at the banquet is assured. Delivering His invitation is a privilege. He does not hold us accountable for the response of the recipient, only for sharing.

Are you coming to the wedding?