The kingdom of heaven is a party, Part 1

They start looking forward to the guests arriving and everyone being in awe of the preparations.

It’s the kind of story we love.

“but they refused to come.”

The imagination of everyone listening came to a screeching stop. This was not going to be an ordinary story.

Of course, the kingdom of heaven is not an ordinary place.

The kingdom of heaven is a party, Part 2

Were they unaware that their very business depended on the king’s trade? Were they not thinking about the portion of the crops that was due the king? Were they so self-absorbed that they couldn’t understand the implications of their actions?

Who knows. Jesus doesn’t linger on those few.

“The rest seized his servants, mistreated them and killed them.”

Imagine a party invitation being crumpled and tossed. Demeaning, right? What if the crumpled invitation had been alive?

The kingdom of heaven is a party, Part 3

This wasn’t skipping a party. This was open insurrection, treason, rebellion.

Everyone listening to this story would have thought that this was exactly the appropriate response for murderous traitors.

But the story doesn’t stop there. And the next part is even more shocking. And hopeful.

The kingdom of heaven is a party, Part 4

Jesus told a story about a king/father asking leaders to respond and being ignored. And the story always was elevating the undeserving, disobedient, unreliable, underdogs. Such stories are loved by underdogs and despised by top dogs.

There is hope for everyone, the story said. Great news.

The kingdom of heaven is a party, Part 5

The expected celebrants reject and are therefore rejected. The unsuspecting marginals are in the seats of honor.

Jesus draws lines for the party. They aren’t where we would. In this story, however, they make sense.