Friend, how did you
get in here without a wedding robe?
--Matthew 22:12
As I drive around, I like reading church signs. Some are pithy, some clever, some make me
think, and some make my theological skin crawl. Many say something like, “All Are
Welcome!” But, whenever I see that
phrase on a sign or on a bulletin I always wonder to myself, “really?” I know we all intend to be welcoming to
everyone, but so often I think there is an unintentional asterisk added, “as
long as you’re like us, or want to be like us.” In practice, differences are often just
barely tolerated, if that.
This week’s Gospel lesson seems to support that kind of
thinking. In Jesus’ parable, all sorts
of people are invited to the wedding banquet after the original invitees decide
they have better things to do. But then,
one of the guests gets booted out because he’s not dressed right. I’ve always found that part of the parable
troubling and am tempted to end the reading with verse 10. But, when something in scripture troubles me,
it usually means I need to wrestle with it, not avoid it. Does God’s Kingdom really have an
asterisk? Or am I missing something here?
Context, I think, is important. In this section of Matthew, Jesus is in
Jerusalem. It is the week before his
crucifixion. He is locked in debate with
the leaders of the people: Sadducees,
Pharisees, Scribes, and the Chief Priests.
He indicts them with parable after parable, lesson after lesson. He baits them with stories that get them
nodding, then pulls the rug out from under them, and they condemn
themselves. They, who think themselves
God’s chosen, are the ones who turn down the invitation to the banquet. They, who think themselves righteous, are the
ones wearing the wrong clothes. Those
who think themselves to be the “insiders” are found to be the “outsiders.” They are so enraged they want to kill Jesus,
and eventually get their way.
We, who are today’s “insiders” among the people of God, ought
not point an accusing finger at these leaders too quickly! We who are bishops, pastors, deacons, council
members, and the leaders of the people may stand under the same indictment that
our ancestors in the faith did. We
wonder at our empty pews, but the truth is, maybe we’re really not as welcoming
as we think we are. Perhaps we are
putting our own asterisks on the Kingdom.
Deciding who is “in” and who is “out” is really not our
business. We are the slaves sent out
into the streets to gather all we can find, both the good and the bad, saint
and sinner. It is the King’s business to
decide from there. And decide he
does. Jesus goes to a cross for the
good and the bad, for the insider and the outsider, for Jew and Gentile, for
you and for me. He says to us, “forgive
them for they don’t know what they are doing”
and “today you will be with me in paradise,” redeems betraying Peter and
sends us out to invite all people, yes ALL people, into the life of discipleship
– into that life which is truly life.
In the end, Jesus shows us that there are no asterisks in
Christ’s Kingdom. Thanks be to God!
Peace,
Bishop Mike
Pray for those in our world who feel left out. Even more, go out, invite and walk with them
in Jesus’ name. Thanks for reading.
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