Matthew 22:1-14, “1And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, 2The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, 3And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. 4Again, 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. 5But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: 6And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. 7But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. 8Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. 9Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. 10So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. 11And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: 12And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. 13Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 14For many are called, but few are chosen.”
A “Royal Dominion Banquet” is a grand and opulent feast hosted by a monarch or royal family, often held to celebrate a significant event, milestone, or the reign of the monarchy within their kingdom. These lavish affairs are known for their magnificence, featuring exquisitely decorated venues with an array of brilliant colors, elegant lighting, and intricate designs that evoke a sense of majesty and splendor.
The banquet tables are adorned with an abundance of the finest foods—gourmet dishes and rare delicacies prepared by master chefs. Each meal is crafted with precision, offering an impressive selection of flavors, textures, and presentations, reflecting the sophistication and grandeur of the occasion. The guests, carefully chosen by the king, are esteemed individuals—invited not only because of their status but also because of the king’s deep affection and regard for them.
The gathering is marked by an air of exclusivity, with only those held in high esteem by the monarchy gracing the event. These guests, often influential figures, dignitaries, and close allies of the kingdom, come together in celebration, basking in the king’s generosity and the royal family’s hospitality. Every element of the banquet— from the decor to the food, the entertainment, and the attendees—embodies the wealth, power, and benevolence of the monarchy, creating a night of unparalleled elegance and significance.
This is exactly what God is inviting us to experience in His kingdom. After redeeming us, He calls us out of darkness into His marvelous light, from lack to abundance, from bitterness to sweetness, from sorrow to joy, and from poverty to riches. He offers us every good thing life has to offer in His kingdom.
Yet, the Bible records that those specially chosen and cherished by the King refused to accept His invitation. How could anyone, considered worthy enough to be invited to such a royal banquet, possibly reject such a generous and loving offer?
Why did they refuse to accept the invitation to a place of abundance?
- Ignorance of their Status in Christ: They were unaware of their true identity in Christ and what God had called them to be. As Hosea 4:6 says, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.” Ignorance is a tool of Satan, used craftily to deprive us of what God has freely given.
- Lack of Faith: The invited guests did not trust in the King’s ability to provide for all their needs. Their lack of faith made them doubt the abundance offered by the celebrant.
- Excuses Driven by Lack of Faith: Because they lacked faith in what the King could offer, they made excuses to reject the invitation. In Luke 14:16-20, we see their responses: “A certain man made a great supper, and invited many. He sent his servant at supper time to say to those who were invited, ‘Come, for all things are now ready.’ But they all began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have bought a piece of ground, and I must go see it. Please excuse me.’ Another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m going to test them. Please excuse me.’ Another said, ‘I have just married a wife, so I cannot come.” Many of us do the same today, giving excuses over trivial things that pale in comparison to the greatness of what God has in store for us.
- Fear of the Known and unknown: The fear of stepping into the unknown and even the fear of what is familiar often holds us back from embracing God’s abundant offer.
- Reliance on Self: Many trusted in their own strength and ability to make ends meet, rather than relying on the King who had invited them to a place of provision.
Our availability and mindset determine whether or not we will partake in this banquet. Many things compete for our attention in our Christian journey. The hearts of many are growing cold, and the distractions of life often consume our thoughts, causing us to lose focus on God and His kingdom. Without careful attention, we risk missing this banquet.
May God help us to remain steadfast to the end, in the name of Jesus Christ.
As we pray today, let our focus be solely on Him. Nothing will cause us to miss the glorious banquet prepared for us by our Redeemer, in the name of Jesus Christ.
May He deliver us today, in Jesus’ name.
Prayer:
- Father, we thank You for Your mercies, compassions, and faithfulness.
- Father, we thank You for the privilege to see another day.
- Father, we thank You for answers to all our supplications since the beginning of the year. Thank You for surpassing our expectations.
- Father, we thank You for making testimonies abound.
- Oh Lord, deliver me from the spirit of ignorance. Do not allow Satan to take advantage of me in the name of Jesus Christ.
- Oh Lord, strengthen my faith in You and Your words. My faith will not go weary in the name of Jesus Christ.
- Oh Lord, deliver me from the excuses that want to deprive me of my blessings in Jesus’ name.
- Oh Lord, deliver me from the fear of known and unknown. Do not allow fear of the present events deprive me of my blessings from You in the name of Jesus Christ.
- Oh Lord, I put my trust in You. I will not trust in my own understanding, knowledge, strength and might in the name of Jesus Christ.
- Oh Lord, when You are calling of whom to bless, I will not be miss out in the name of Jesus Christ.
- The pursuits of life will not deprive me of my royal dominion banquet in the name of Jesus Christ.
- The challenges of life, events of life will not make me lose out of my royal dominion banquet with You in the name of Jesus Christ.
- Oh Lord, help me not to lose my status in Your presence because of lust for the things of the world.
- Satan in his craftiness will not take away my glory from me in the name of Jesus Christ.
- Oh Lord, help me to live in readiness for Your banquet.
- Give thanks for answered prayer.