HD Homilies- Anyone

This past weekend, ENan and I were in Lake Lure for a family wedding.  Our niece was getting married in this beautiful mountain location and we were invited.  Not only were we invited, but I had the privilege of officiating the wedding.  The wedding was everything you might expect.  There was a beautiful bride and groom, members from each family meeting for the first time, good food and wine and dancing.  (There was also a lot of shouting during the Final Four basketball game since most of the groom’s family are Gator alumni and fans.) 

I have always found it interesting that when Jesus decides to paint a word-picture of heaven, he chooses to tell a story of a wedding.  “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son.” (Matthew 22:2)  The wedding Jesus describes is not just any wedding; it is the king’s son who is getting married.  This is the social event of the year.  This is a Prince Charles and Lady Di type of affair.

I have heard too many sermons describe heaven as an eternal church service with angels playing harps and singing hymns 24/7.  Honestly, after about an hour, most of us would be checking our watches to see when this ends.  A wedding - on the other hand - can go on for hours and even days.  It is a place of laughter and joy and celebration.  No one wants to go home.

As Jesus’ wedding story unfolds, the food has been prepared, decorations are in place and invitations have been sent out.  When the servants go to tell the guests that all is ready, “they paid no attention and went off - one to his field, another to his business.” (Matthew 22:5)  The king was rightfully angry with the guests for declining the invitation, so he extends the guest list.  “So go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.” (Matthew 22:9)

In addition to the revolutionary reframing of what heaven will be like, Jesus rewrites the rules on who God invites.  “Anyone you find” is radically inclusive.  I am sure some of those folks at the banquet pinched themselves to be sure it was real.  I imagine they didn’t feel like they deserved to be there.

Truth is - we don’t deserve heaven.  But we are invited anyway.

-Dr. Jim Baldwin