Jesus used stories to say some other things to the people. Jesus said, "The kingdom of heaven is like a king that prepared a wedding dinner for his son. The king invited some people to the feast. When the feast was ready, the king sent his servants to tell those people to come. But the people refused to come to the king's feast. Then the king sent some more servants. The king said to the servants, 'I have already invited those people. So tell them that my feast is ready. I have killed my best bulls and calves to be eaten. Everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast.'"
—Matthew 22:1-4
Key Thought
I love stories. It doesn't matter if they are parables or just anecdotes. When stories cut across our experience, when they are built out of the fabric of our lives, then they capture us and work themselves down into hearts.
Jesus loved stories about weddings. They were such a joyful and passionate time in his culture. For him, a wedding offered all sorts of opportunities for teaching. So many people had seen them and been a part of them in his time. The emotions ran deep. The families and friends involved added color, tension, excitement, love, confusion, joy, and risk.
Jesus once again uses a story to make his point. A point we can't miss. But today, remember Jesus used stories. We're so prone to spout a proverbial saying, a slogan we've heard from sports, or even a rule we've picked up from our religious environment. But today, let's be reminded of the power of stories and learn to tell more of them. Especially stories that carry a Kingdom message.
Today's Prayer
Please, dear Father, help to use stories in the life of my family, with my children, and around my friends that help them catch a glimmer of your glory and the power of your dawning Kingdom. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Today's Verses in Context
Jesus used stories to say some other things to the people. Jesus said, "The kingdom of heaven is like a king that prepared a wedding dinner for his son. The king invited some people to the feast. When the feast was ready, the king sent his servants to tell those people to come. But the people refused to come to the king's feast. "Then the king sent some more servants. The king said to the servants, 'I have already invited those people. So tell them that my feast is ready. I have killed my best bulls and calves to be eaten. Everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast.' "{The servants went and told the people to come.} But the people refused to listen to the servants. Those people went to do other things. One person went to work in his field, and another person went to his business. Some of the other people grabbed the servants, beat them, and killed them. The king was very angry. The king sent his army to kill those people that killed his servants. And the army burned their city. "After that, the king said to his servants, 'The wedding feast is ready. I invited those people, but they were not good enough to come to my feast. So go to the street corners and invite all the people you see. Tell them to come to my feast.' So the servants went into the streets. They gathered all the people they could find. The servants brought good people and bad people to the place where the wedding feast was ready. And that place was filled with people. "Then the king came in to see all the people. The king saw a man there that was not dressed in the right clothes for a wedding. The king said, 'Friend, how were you allowed to come in here? You are not wearing the right clothes for a wedding.' But the man said nothing. So the king told some servants, 'Tie this man's hands and feet. Throw the man out into the darkness. In that place, people will cry and grind their teeth {with pain}.' "Yes, many people are invited. But only a few are chosen."Matthew 22:1-14
Related Scripture Readings
— Matt. 13:1-3
— Matt. 7:24-29
— Matt. 13:34-35
Ⓒ 1996-2017 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware. Easy-to-Read Version copyright © 2001 by World Bible Translation Center. All rights reserved.
View the full article
—Matthew 22:1-4
Key Thought
I love stories. It doesn't matter if they are parables or just anecdotes. When stories cut across our experience, when they are built out of the fabric of our lives, then they capture us and work themselves down into hearts.
Jesus loved stories about weddings. They were such a joyful and passionate time in his culture. For him, a wedding offered all sorts of opportunities for teaching. So many people had seen them and been a part of them in his time. The emotions ran deep. The families and friends involved added color, tension, excitement, love, confusion, joy, and risk.
Jesus once again uses a story to make his point. A point we can't miss. But today, remember Jesus used stories. We're so prone to spout a proverbial saying, a slogan we've heard from sports, or even a rule we've picked up from our religious environment. But today, let's be reminded of the power of stories and learn to tell more of them. Especially stories that carry a Kingdom message.
Today's Prayer
Please, dear Father, help to use stories in the life of my family, with my children, and around my friends that help them catch a glimmer of your glory and the power of your dawning Kingdom. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Today's Verses in Context
Jesus used stories to say some other things to the people. Jesus said, "The kingdom of heaven is like a king that prepared a wedding dinner for his son. The king invited some people to the feast. When the feast was ready, the king sent his servants to tell those people to come. But the people refused to come to the king's feast. "Then the king sent some more servants. The king said to the servants, 'I have already invited those people. So tell them that my feast is ready. I have killed my best bulls and calves to be eaten. Everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast.' "{The servants went and told the people to come.} But the people refused to listen to the servants. Those people went to do other things. One person went to work in his field, and another person went to his business. Some of the other people grabbed the servants, beat them, and killed them. The king was very angry. The king sent his army to kill those people that killed his servants. And the army burned their city. "After that, the king said to his servants, 'The wedding feast is ready. I invited those people, but they were not good enough to come to my feast. So go to the street corners and invite all the people you see. Tell them to come to my feast.' So the servants went into the streets. They gathered all the people they could find. The servants brought good people and bad people to the place where the wedding feast was ready. And that place was filled with people. "Then the king came in to see all the people. The king saw a man there that was not dressed in the right clothes for a wedding. The king said, 'Friend, how were you allowed to come in here? You are not wearing the right clothes for a wedding.' But the man said nothing. So the king told some servants, 'Tie this man's hands and feet. Throw the man out into the darkness. In that place, people will cry and grind their teeth {with pain}.' "Yes, many people are invited. But only a few are chosen."Matthew 22:1-14
Related Scripture Readings
— Matt. 13:1-3
— Matt. 7:24-29
— Matt. 13:34-35
Ⓒ 1996-2017 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware. Easy-to-Read Version copyright © 2001 by World Bible Translation Center. All rights reserved.
Hey everyone! Let's lift up 
Let's lift up 
Ali's condition needs prayers. @PraisyJames asks we lift Ali's healing and faith in Jesus.
@GraceL needs guidance finding a new home in Charlotte.
Let's pray for a peaceful Christmas for 
Please keep Ochurn in your prayers and let’s also support Grace L in her housing search. Reflecting on the Christmas season and let’s uplift Ochurn and everyone in prayer for healing and restoration as @PraisyJames called for us to come together in prayer for Ali’s healing.
Let's lift up these requests, everyone! 
**Prayer Group Updates** 
**Urgent Prayers Needed** 
**Praise Reports** 
