“YOUR PRESENCE IS REQUESTED”

Bob Mills

Our first passage to Africa was made on a passenger liner which also carried cargo. There were only about seventy passengers which assured that we got great service since they had space for at least twice that many. We also were allowed unlimited baggage and a very cheap rate on our automobile. Soon after we sailed, we received an beautiful invitation to the captain’s “Cocktail Party.” Having two small children, one of them very ill, and not being interested in such an evening, we chose to ignore it. When the time arrived, there was a discreet knock at our door. One of the officers had been sent to see why we had not appeared. I had not realized that no one ever ignored what was considered to be a “command appearance.”

Later, Phyllis told me of the times that her family had been invited to such affairs by the Colonel in charge of the city of Batang, China. There, it was considered unacceptable to go on the first invitation. There would be a second, and even a third. Then it was time to go, and it was a required appearance.

And later I was sent a gold printed invitation to the State President’s reception on the occasion of the opening of the Afrikaans Language Museum in Bloemfontein, South Africa. I was included because of my publication of Bible study booklets in that language. That was another occasion we did not accept, largely since I had set the type totally from translations others had made. I, at that time, neither understood or spoke Afrikaans at all.

The host in Jesus’ parable here is God Himself, and the feast is probably the wedding feast of His Son, Jesus, and his bride, the church. That feast is still to take place, of course. And it is one we do not want to miss. It too is a command appearance, and God has provided proper attire. We know that because another parable tells us of a man who attempted to enter in, not wearing the proper garments. In other words, he tried to “crash the gate”, without repentance, confession, and baptism. It is obedience to these commands that prepares one. In still another, Jesus compares this to being like the thief who tries to climb into the sheep kraal over the side and not by the entrance he has prepared. There is only one entrance, and that the one of Acts 2:38., and Acts 8:23-39. The apostle Peter was the man with the key that opens the door..

Luke 14:15-24 (King James Version)

15 And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God. (Revelation 19:9, Matthew 8:12)

16 Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: (Matthew 22:2-14, Luke 14:16-24)

17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.

BOUGHT A PIECE OF LAND

Who would buy land, sight unseen?

18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.

EXCUSE OF THE OXEN

This would be the equivalent of buying a major farm tractor without starting its motor.

19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.

MARRIED A WIFE

A newly married man was exempted from the military, but not from a wedding!

20 And another said, I have married a wife, therefore I cannot come. (Deuteronomy 24:5, 1 Corinthians 7:33)

THE JEWS HAD BEEN THE INVITED, BUT NOW EVERYONE

21 So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.

22 And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.

23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.

SEARCH THE WORLD. THE ORIGINAL GUEST LIST IS SCRAPPED!

24 For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.

GO YE UNTO ALL THE WORLD. (Mark 16:15-16, Matthew 28:19-20)