The parable of the wedding banquet

The king sent three separate invitations. God has sent us an invitation to join him in heaven — his only begotten son Jesus Christ. Have you accepted his invitation?

Matthew 22:7 NIV

[7] The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city.

Revelation foretells the end of times when Christ will return with his army to defeat Satan and separate his followers forever from God. Through belief that Jesus is the Christ we will be saved from this fate. 

Matthew 22:14 NIV

[14] “For many are invited, but few are chosen.”

The invitation to come to Jesus is available to everyone. Apparently, few will accept the invitation. 

Matthew 22:29 NIV

[29] Jesus replied, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.

A very strong rebuke for the Sadducees as they were studious if the Hebrew texts.  It is good to know the scriptures but better to know God and have a relationship with him. 

Matthew 22:36-40 NIV

[36] “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” [37] Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ [38] This is the first and greatest commandment. [39] And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ [40] All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Love is the essence of what God wishes for us and from us. Love for God and love for our neighbors – everyone around us.