ODJ: red bombs

November 26, 2015 

READ: Matthew 22:1-14 

Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9).

The bubbling of the steamer warming the milk and the humming of our office’s coffee machine created a relaxing symphony of sounds. I was enjoying the bliss when fellow Our Daily Journey author K.T. Sim dropped what some people call a “red bomb” on me.

The “red bomb” is actually a wedding invitation. In Chinese culture, receiving one means you must now ‘bleed money’ (we give red envelopes with cash inside to the wedding couple as a blessing). So receiving a “red bomb” is—in jest—something undesirable.

In Matthew 22, Jesus told a parable about some people who spurned a king’s royal wedding invitation. “They all refused to come” and “went their own way, one to his farm, another to his business” (vv.3,5). Some even “seized his messengers and insulted them and killed them” (v.6). Such indifference and hostility to a royal invitation seems rather odd, doesn’t it?

There could be only one possible answer: they didn’t honour the monarch as their king. Instead, they wanted to simply go about their own enterprises and pursue their own interests rather than share in the king’s joy.

Jesus shared this parable to illustrate that the King of kings is reaching out with a loving invitation to His royal feast. Today, He’s still extending His invitation to the world. Will you come? Will you come wearing the robe of righteousness provided as a gift by God to those who believe in Jesus and receive Him as Saviour? (vv.11-12).

I look forward to attending the royal banquet to be provided by God! (Revelation 19:9). It will be a time of joy and celebration in His presence. Until then, may we extend His invitation to others, for it’s His desire that all will come and dine at His table.

—Poh Fang Chia

365-day-plan: 1 Corinthians 15:42-58

MORE
Read Revelation 19:6-8 to learn more about the great marriage feast that awaits all believers in Jesus. 
NEXT
Why is it so important to dress appropriately for the wedding feast? How can you help others know that God has invited them to be part of His wedding feast one day?