9 “ ‘Go therefore to the main highways, and as many as you find there, invite to the wedding feast.’ 10 Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered together all they found, both evil and good; and the wedding hall was filled with dinner guests.”
As Jesus continued His story of the king who invited people to the son’s wedding feast, the plot takes an interesting turn. The first and second set of invitees, those who made up the “A” and “B” list, refused to attend, they couldn’t be bothered. They even abused and killed the king’s messengers. After destroying them, the king extended the invitation to everyone, whoever was willing to come. A mixed bag of responders accepted the invitation, some described as “evil” and some “good.” The celebration could now begin.
The parallel with the Jews’ present situation was clear. They were God’s “prime list” of invitees, and the first ones to receive God’s message of salvation. This is seen when Jesus sent out His disciples. He instructed them, “Do not go in the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter any city of the Samaritans; but rather go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matt 10:5-6). Then He made it clear, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matt 15:24). Paul affirmed this when he wrote, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16).
This is a fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham, “… in you all the families of the earth will be blessed” (Gen 12:3). The plan was that God would bless the descendants of Israel and through them bless the world. So in sending the Messiah, Israel would be the first to receive God’s message (in the words of the parable, they were invited first to the wedding celebration). But, Israel’s rejection meant their judgment and being bypassed, so that God would reach the non-Jews (Gentiles) directly without any longer going through the Jews. The parable describes this situation in figurative form, the message is clear. God will now judge the Jews because of their insolence and bless the Gentiles despite their not being on the prime list.
This should be nothing new for the readers of this gospel account, for Jesus previously emphasized, “The last shall be first and the first last” (Matt 19:30, 20:16). Having the status of being the first invited (i.e. God’s people Israel) did not exempt them from God’s judgment for disobedience. However, their rejection meant the wonderful message coming now to the rest of us.
Lord, thank You that although I had no privileged standing with You, You graciously invited me to an intimate relationship with You and Your Son.
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