St. Matthew, Chapter 22, verse: 10b; They gathered all both good and bad.

Our paragraph topic is:  (The king's anger) Part 6.  

Christ continues to tell this parable about the king and the wedding feast as he compares it to the kingdom of heaven.  He relates this parable to the people because he wants them to understand the mindset of the king and his determination to have a wedding feast and the determination of his father in heaven to have a celebration with his son and his bride, the church here on earth.

Invitations were sent out to those who were special but they did not come.  They did not understand and did not want to be a part of this special occasion.  So he sent his servants out to the crossroads and gathered all:  "Both good and bad; and the marriage feast was filled with guests."   

This was an important occasion.  It was a happy occasion, an event to remember, for the bride would be forever united with the groom and nothing would separate them.  This was the message that Christ wanted the people to hear, to understand and comprehend.  It was an important occasion for all to celebrate.  It was an important event for all to remember and to pass down to their children so that they would also remember even though they were not there but their parents were there.

It was a joyous occasion, one to remember for a lifetime.  There was dancing and singing, and music, and laughter, and wine and food, and happy people.  People were dressed in their festive clothing to commemorate the occasion.  There were drinks to go round for all to have.  There was festive music to dance by and all were happy on this joyous event.  This was not a club party nor a house party but a grand ballroom party held in a great hall, the king's great hall.  And he knew how to throw a great party.

So we see today that Christ relates to us that there will be a great celebration to commemorate the coming together of the bride and the groom.  God our Father will celebrate this great occasion and will invite all to come and participate.  All will be invited to come and see the union of the two.  All will be invited to come to the ceremony that will take place that will unite the church on earth with Christ in heaven and to be a part of this great celebration.

Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself. Do not study it in parts reading one passage nd then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ .   The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in.   

St. Matthew, Chapter 22, verses: 1-2; The Kingdom of Heaven like a marriage feast.

Our paragraph topic is:  (The marriage feast) Part 1.  

The kingdom of heaven is like a feast, a party.  Christ spoke in parables because it was not for them to know the meaning of the word.  Those who wanted to know would search their minds, hearts, and history to obtain a meaning.  Those who thought that they wanted to know would take in the words as they were spoken but would not search for meaning.  Those who did not care would only listen to the words without seeking to know the meaning beyond the words.  To them this was just another story that was told to entertain the crowd.

Many who followed Christ wanted to know, they wanted to understand because they saw him as a prophet, a person of power and influence.  They knew that he spoke the truth because of the many examples and miracles that he performed.  They sought to understand.  They sought to know.  "And Jesus addressed them, and spoke to them again in parables, saying: "The kingdom of heaven is like a king who made a marriage feast for his son."  

A marriage feast is a party, with singing and dancing, and wine and music, and laughter and joyous banter, all in the name of the son.  This would be an occasion that everyone would want to attend.  There would be food and free wine and a happy occasion that everyone would remember for a long time.  This is what we live for today, to party.  We work all week long and party on the weekend till the light of dawn.  Tomorrow will never come, or so we hope, for we are having the joy of a lifetime today.

The king wanted to celebrate the marriage of his son, the beginning of a new generation.  For he hoped that from this union would come a son to carry forward the legacy of his family.  And he wanted all to rejoice in this union of son and bride.  Some would come and rejoice.  Some would come and feast.  Some would come and talk of the scandal that they saw at the party.  Then there would be those who would come to find jealousy and enmity at the party.  But for the king there was only joy in his heart for himself and his son and new bride.

This is a parable about the kingdom of heaven.  It gives us a hint of what we can expect after our transition to our next life.  There will be no sorrow.  There will be no pain.  There will be no suffering or regret.  There we will experience the joy of the love of our Father and his son, Christ Jesus.  For he is our joy.  He is our happiness.  He is our truth, all that we have searched for in life.  He is our be all and end all and in him there is no lack for that which we might desire.  For he fulfills all the desires of our hearts, of our souls, and of our spirits.  His light will shine on us and within us and we shall be complete.

Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself. Do not study it in parts reading one passage nd then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ .   The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in.