For many are called, but few are chosen. –Matthew 22:14 (English Standard Version)

Jason M. Alexandre, Voices Against the Grain Devotional Writer

I suppose people are honored and grateful to receive an invitation from someone whom they love or admire. Invitations are attractive. They can pull on our heart strings indicating that we were singled out and thought of as someone special to be invited to a particular event. In the preceding verses of our text, we see that Jesus was giving an illustration (parable) of what the Kingdom of Heaven is like by comparing it to the likes of a royal banquet.

How would Jesus know what the Kingdom of heaven is like? On one occasion after Jesus told the disciples that in His Father’s house there are many rooms and that He would prepare a place for them, he answered Philip’s plea to show them the Father (God). Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father?’ –John 14:9

In Jesus’s parable of the banquet, first the guests were asked to attend. They refused the king’s invitation. Then the king announced that all was ready and invited them a second time but nobody paid him any attention. This angered the king for it was a banquet he had prepared for his beloved son. Finally, the king told his servants to go out into the streets and gather everyone that they could find—bad and good company alike. God wants us to join Him at his glorious banquet. His banquet lasts for eternity. Have you accepted His invitation? And if you have, are you dressed for His banquet?

The king noticed and asked a man at his banquet, “How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend?” The man was speechless.-John 22:12 Then the king told his attendants to bind the man hand and foot and throw him into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth i.e., Hell. I pray that all who profess to be Christians truly desire and are following the Holy Spirit’s leading to wear the spiritual garments of salvation and righteousness in Jesus Christ. For in our world today, there are many who have called themselves Christians but whose lifestyle and conduct contradict the commands and lifestyle Jesus Christ requires of us.

I am disheartened by the possibility of loved ones who seem to enjoy being a Christian by affiliation, but pay Christ no mind when it comes to living for Him. For Christ said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my father who is in heaven. –Matthew 7:21

Are you ready? Could Christ say to you, “Depart from me I never knew you.” –Matthew 7:23 Take heed and learn from Jesus’s message to the church in Sardis. It’s a message from which we all can learn. “Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. – Revelation 3:3

The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my father and before his angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. – Revelation 3:5-6

Amen.

About Jason M. Alexandre

Jason Melchizedek Alexandre was born in November of 1989 in Brooklyn, N.Y. His family later moved to Philadelphia, Pa., and he now resides in Limerick, Pa. In May of 2014, Jason obtained his Master of Social Work degree at Widener University. Professionally, Jason counsels persons who are homeless, parents, veterans, and others who suffer from various kinds of abuse. Although Jason’s career is Social Work, his spiritual passion is missions. Jason believes in actively answering the Great Commission call Jesus gave all Christians for the Gospel to be spread from person-to-person and nation-to-nation. Annually, Jason travels primarily to Haiti on a mission trip with Haiti Christianity Inc. Each year, Haiti Christianity, Inc., visits cities and/or villages in Haiti bringing children educational supplies, clothing, and medical supplies. They also facilitate conferences in which bible study, budgeting tips, financial planning and most importantly, evangelization takes place. Jason is currently the organization’s public relations director. Jason’s vision is for the gospel to continue to spread throughout the world and believes it is Christian’s responsibility to carry out this mission effectively. To learn more about the organization for which Jason volunteers, please visit www.HaitiChristianity.org.