Making Light of the Invitation - Matthew 22:5

Matthew the apostle wrote how, “Jesus answered and spoke unto” the chief priests and elders in Jerusalem” “again by parables, and said, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage”, and in chapter twenty-two and verse five of his book Matthew shared how the servants, “made light of” the king's invitation where we read:

But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:

The verse reads, “But they made light of it, and went their ways, ...” Matthew began with the word, “but” which means “nevertheless, nonetheless, moreover and” “they made light of it” or “the invited servants were careless of and neglecting with no regard” “and went their ways” or “departed and were gone away”. Matthew shared how the servants who were invited to the king's wedding feast for his son were “careless and neglectful” to his invitation and simply left to go their own ways.

The verse goes on to say, “... one to his farm, another to his merchandise:” Matthew continued with the words, “one to his farm” which means “one of the servants left to his field, piece of land, country seat or neighboring hamlet”, “another to his merchandise” or “another of the invited servants departed for his trading and business traffic”. Matthew wrote how these two servants went back to their belongings which included a “field” and “trading items”.

When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we see how things of this world were more important to these servant than the “invitation” of the king to his son's “wedding feast”. Rather than accept the king's request, they decided their belongings were more important. God has extended an invitation to every person to have a personal relationship with Him through His Son Jesus, and often things of this world are more important to them. God's heavenly things are “eternal”, and earthly things are “temporary”. Those who are wise will understand, “God so loved the world, that he sent his only begotten son. That whosoever, believes in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life”. (See John 3:16), and no one should make “light” of His invitation.

Next time Matthew shares how Jesus said, “the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.