Matthew 22:1, 2 Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son.”
So, I’ve been thinking of other possible ways Jesus might have described the kingdom of heaven. Given the time of year I considered “The kingdom of God is like a teacher preparing a classroom for his students.” How about “The kingdom of God is like a magistrate preparing to conduct a trial?” Or perhaps “The kingdom of God is like a general preparing his army for battle.” Certainly God wants us to learn and discern and have courage. But, at least here, that is not where Jesus went. No, he said “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son.” I’m guessing that a wedding banquet was about as big a party as people in Jesus’ day experienced, as is a wedding reception for us today. Could the rule of God bring on such a party with music and laughter and good friends and great enjoyment? Who created these kinds of things anyway; maybe God? And now he wants to celebrate with us the type of love and bond and commitment that surrounds a wedding? Hey, Jesus could have said a lot of other things, but he said what he said. This week consider what you think God’s kingdom is like and what might it be like to be at God’s party?
Logan Memorial Presbyterian Church 