Most folks enjoy parties, especially here on Fort Myers Beach. In fact, our community is known as the place in Southwest Florida to have fun. We are the island with the night life. As for during the day, our beaches are conveniently located to lots of shops for those who like to shop a lot. It was the spirit of joy and fun that first drew me here to this island in the sun. As a native Floridian, I appreciate the laid back lifestyle of island life. So when I was called to come here as your priest, I was delighted. After all, what better place to do ministry than with a group of folks who already are enjoying life to its fullest.
Well, today, I want us to check out the party of all parties. We are going to get the scoop on the wedding banquet that God the Father is going to throw for His Son Jesus when Jesus’ Bride arrives. This party is not just going to last for a few hours. No, it is going to go on for a good part of eternity and it begins here on earth.
You’ve heard I am sure, of moveable feasts. Well, this wedding feast begins here on earth in the hearts of all who say, “Yes!” to Jesus the Christ. I am not talking about church membership. What I am talking about is a personal relationship with the Son of God that begins here on earth.
There are two things to separate Christianity from other religions. The first is that Christianity is not a religion. Instead, Christianity is a relationship with God the Father through Jesus, His Only Begotten Son. So when folks start telling you all about the rules and regulations that Christians have to follow to get to Heaven, beware! Watch out! Because Jesus has told us that He is the Way. Without Christ, humanity is lost forever.
And this is the second thing that separates Christianity from other religions. Christianity is the only religion in which people cannot work themselves into Heaven. The scriptures tell us that our righteousness is as filthy rags. There is no good deed that we can do that will win us a place in Heaven. This is because Jesus already paid the price for humanity to have eternal life. In fact, Jesus paid this price with His own precious blood.
Now there are some parties here on earth that come with price tags. They are usually fund-raisers for charities or political campaigns. In order to get into those parties a person has to pay ahead of time or at the door and bring the invitation. There is usually for most parties, a request for letting the host know if the person invited will be attending. This is known as an RSVP.
Well, for Jesus’ wedding banquet, there is a request also. While a person is alive here on earth, there needs to be a response from all who are invited in order to be allowed to attend the party. The good news is that everyone is invited. However, like the parable we heard today from the Gospel of Matthew, not all will say yes to the invitation from the Father God. Instead, they will be like the scripture states, “But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his salves, mistreated them, and killed them.” Sadly, this is how the messengers of the good news concerning the invitation for the wedding feast of Jesus Christ have been treated over the ages. Some have been ignored or derided, while others have been persecuted even unto death.
This is because to accept the invitation of the Bridegroom to the wedding feast, one must submit oneself to the grace of God. There is no price, because the price has already been paid. There is no good works to be done to get into the party, because Jesus’ passion on the cross was the only work that could open the gates of Heaven for all to enter. There is only one requirement and that is to say ‘Yes!’ to Christ.
This means accepting Jesus Christ as one’s Lord and Savior. It is letting go of the false belief that a person can work one’s way into Heaven through good deeds and one’s own righteousness. It is relying completely on Jesus Christ as the hope for eternal life.
The Host of this wedding feast will know who the expected guests are through several ways. First, the Book of Life will be opened up. The Book of Life is like a Reservation List, except to get this reservation a person has to have accepted Christ as their personal Savior and Lord. The moment a person says yes to Christ that person’s name is entered into the Book of Life. No one on earth can blot out a name already written into the Book of Life. Only Jesus Christ has the authority to blot out anyone’s name.
After it has been established that person’s name is in the Book of Life, then the person is given a wedding garment to wear. This garment is the robe of righteousness that has been washed clean of all sins in the Blood of the Lamb. It is a robe that is without blemish and as white as snow. This apparel can only be given to those who have received God’s gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. We know this because Jesus tells us in his parable what happened to the guest who did not wear a wedding robe to the banquet.
“But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing a wedding robe, and he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?’ And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ For many are called, but few are chosen.’”
The scriptures tell us that the wedding guests will be a mixture of both good and bad. Matthew writes, “Then he (meaning the king) said to his slaves, ‘The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.’ Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests.” Even those who lived a wicked life, yet made a deathbed confession for Jesus Christ will be given a robe of righteousness. At this point, some may be thinking then what is the use of living a life of doing good works? If even the ones who lived a life of evil can be forgiven at the last moment of life on earth and get into Heaven, then why live a life dedicated to Christ?
Well, like any wedding, we do not want to show up empty handed. Our gifts for the Bridegroom is the treasure of good works we have done on earth for Christ and more importantly, the people we bring to the wedding feast. Some of us will be very surprised at the wedding banquet when people from different countries come to us and thank us for sharing the good news with them. These will be those who were brought to Christ through our financial support of missionaries. The wedding banquet of the Son of God will be a heavenly event filled with people from every tribe and nation. It will be the biggest bash ever! So let’s get started today in sharing the good news about the best party ever! Invite someone to Christ and you have a friend forever.
As for the password for this party, well, that is simple enough. Most of you already know it. I will give you a hint. It is one word. The name above all names, Jesus!
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