Happy Third Week of Lent! This week we focus on the invitation for all to enter into the wedding feast of God, and we also look at what it means to put on the garments of faith in Jesus.
To recap yesterday's sermon, the parable of the wedding feast is a story told by Jesus in Matthew 22:1-14. It is a powerful and challenging story that teaches us about God's invitation to all people, regardless of their social status or past mistakes. In this parable, Jesus teaches us that God is inviting everyone to be a part of His kingdom, and that the only requirement is that we put on the garments of love for God and love for our neighbor.
Below are a series of daily Scripture lessons, and activities you can do to understand and live out the lesson this week. May you blessed as you put on the garments of grace!
Daily Scripture Lessons
Day 1: Invitation to the Feast
Read Luke 14:15-24. In this parable, Jesus tells the story of a man who prepares a great feast and invites many guests. However, the invited guests make excuses and decline the invitation. The man then invites the poor, crippled, blind, and lame to the feast. What does this parable teach us about God's invitation to His kingdom?
Day 2: Accepting the Invitation
Read Acts 2:38-41. Peter preaches to the crowd on the day of Pentecost and invites them to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. How does this passage show us the importance of accepting God's invitation? What do we need to do to accept His invitation to His kingdom?
Day 3: Responding to God's Call
Read Romans 8:28-30. This passage tells us that God works for the good of those who love Him and have been called according to His purpose. What does it mean to be called by God? How can we respond to His call in our lives?
Day 4: The Garment of Love
Read Colossians 3:12-14. This passage tells us to put on the garment of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, and to clothe ourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. What does it mean to put on these garments? How can we show love to others in our daily lives?
Day 5: Loving Our Neighbor
Read Luke 10:25-37. In the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus teaches us to love our neighbor as ourselves, even if they are different from us. How can we apply this parable to our lives today? How can we show love and compassion to those who are different from us?
Day 6: Forgiveness
Read Matthew 6:14-15. In this passage, Jesus teaches us to forgive others, just as our Heavenly Father forgives us. What does it mean to forgive others? How can we forgive those who have hurt us?
Day 7: The Wedding Feast
Read Revelation 19:6-9. This passage describes the marriage supper of the Lamb, where the bridegroom (Jesus) is united with His bride (the Church). How does this passage connect to the parable of the wedding feast? What can we do to prepare ourselves for the ultimate wedding feast in heaven?
Activities
Activity 1: Take some time this week to invite someone to come to church with you. Just as the king in the parable sent his servants out to invite everyone to the wedding feast, we too should be inviting others to come and be a part of God's kingdom.
Activity 2: Volunteer at a homeless shelter One way we can put on the garments of love for our neighbor is by serving those in need. Find a homeless shelter in your area and volunteer your time to serve those who are less fortunate than you.
Activity 3: Forgive someone who has hurt you Putting on the garments of love for God and love for our neighbor also means forgiving those who have hurt us. Take some time this week to forgive someone who has hurt you in the past. This act of forgiveness will not only free you from bitterness and resentment, but it will also demonstrate the love of Christ to others.
Conclusion
The parable of the wedding feast is a powerful reminder that God invites everyone to be a part of His kingdom, and that the only requirement is that we put on the garments of love for God and love for our neighbor. Let us strive to respond to God's invitation by accepting His love and putting on the garments of righteousness and love. Let us also be mindful of our responsibility to invite others to be a part of God's kingdom and to serve those in need.
May we be inspired by the parable of the wedding feast to live a life of love, forgiveness, and service to others, and may we always remember that God's invitation is for everyone, regardless of their past or social status.