09/15/2026
Have we ever received an invitation to a grand and magnificent party? Did we send the RSVP indicating that we would be attending? Perhaps we are hesitating because we don’t feel that we have anything to wear; maybe the splendor of it makes us worry that we will be out of place, or perhaps we have convinced ourselves that we are too busy... or even above it! God has extended each of us an invitation to the grand wedding celebration of His Son, and His conquest over sin and death... how will we respond?
“Again he sent other servants, saying, 'Tell those who are invited, "See, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast."'”
Matthew 22:4 ESV
This isn’t a handbill nailed up on telephone poles, or a flyer distributed on the street, each of us receives a personal handwritten, and embossed invitation to accept Jesus Christ, and to recognize Him as our Lord and Savior. Yet, despite being presented with this opportunity, so many of us will find an excuse to turn it down... or to just ignore it. Then there are others who ridicule the event and do harm to the messengers who deliver the invitations. Listen to what Pastor Andrew Murray writes as he describes the effort that has gone into preparing this feast...
“Think of what it cost God to prepare this feast. Nothing less than the suffering and death of His Son was required to remove our sin and make way for us to enjoy the blessings of heaven. This is what we celebrate.” - Andrew Murray
This isn’t a potluck dinner so we don’t bring anything to the table; everything is provided for us. All that is required is that we put on our good clothes, come prepared to celebrate, and give the honor of our presence to the King of Kings.
God offers us the hand of His Son, and yet we snub it. How would we feel if we prepared a party, and spent a fortune on the banquet hall, food, drinks, entertainment, and such... then no one came? No one came to celebrate one of the most intimate and important affairs that our family would ever experience… marriage.
This feast is prepared every day, and yet many of the invitations that have been delivered are ignored, or worse. Every day the Lord sends His servants into the alleyways and side streets to personally invite anyone who will come. Day after day the feast is laid out, and we are invited to come and dine.
“Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.”
John 21:12 KJV
So, the Holy Spirit says to us today... Come and dine! Come to the great feast of the Mighty King, and the One True God! Eat at His table, and celebrate with all of heaven! Bring nothing except yourself, and see the majesty that is Jesus Christ the Son of God. Then, when we are full of every good food, and we have drunk our fill of the wedding wine, we will come to know the truth regarding the feast, and our feet will be washed by the celebrant Himself as if He were our servant.
Prayer:
Father I thank you for your Son Jesus Christ, and the Church, His bride. I thank you for the invitation to come to your table and sing merrily as we feast and toast the bride and groom. Gracious Father you are a Magnificent Host, and a Father who loves His children, and this, your Son, is like no other. Thank you for inviting me, and offering me the privilege of entering your home. I am humbled that someone as undeserving as myself is offered a place at your table, and I am humbled to the point of being ashamed to let your Son wash my feet. This is His wedding, and His wedding night, and on this night the bride and groom should be dutifully washing One another’s feet... and then, as it is custom, from this nightforward she should wash her husband’s face and feet each night before they retire. Yet no servant washes my feet, and your Son honors me as if I were His bride. How is it Father that I should be treated this way; how is it that your Son would humble Himself before me, a lowly man who is only here by your grace? Praised be your name Holy Father, and praised be the name of Jesus, your Son. This day I renew my pledge and love to you Abba, and my faith to Jesus my Lord. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you who unites heaven and earth in His Son, and celebrates the wedding feast of Jesus Christ and His bride... the Church! Praised be your name, for your mercy and grace knows no end.
“Let us rejoice, be happy, and give him glory
because it’s time for the marriage of the lamb.
His bride has made herself ready.
She has been given the privilege of wearing
dazzling, pure linen.”
This fine linen represents the things that God’s holy people do that have his approval.
Then the angel said to me, “Write this: ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the lamb’s wedding banquet.’” He also told me, “These are the true words of God.””
Revelation 19:7-9 ESV
Amen! Amen! Amen!
For Your Reference:
It is a Jewish custom that as part of the wedding ceremony that the bride and groom will wash one another’s feet, and after married the wife will wash her husband’s face and feet before bed. Read this reference from the Jewish Encyclopedia by clicking the link below...
http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/6051-feet-washing-of
Rich Forbes