A reminder: A parable is a story that tells us a spiritual truth.The blessings of the kingdom are available to all who will come to Christ by faith. We have a part in accepting that invitation.1. WHAT DOES IT SAY?The question asked of Jesus: What does it mean to be righteous? What behaviors make you righteous? Jesus shocked them with a different way to see the kingdom.The man preparing the banquet – God. This is God’s story. Think about the excuses that were given – are they “good excuses”?Jesus makes it clear that the kingdom of heaven is open for people who would not normally get an invitation. 2. WHAT’S THE BACKSTORY?Who was “one of those” – a prominent PhariseeWhere was the table? – the Pharisee’s house3. WHAT DOES IT MEAN?It’s not about what you have to get invited, it’s about whether you say yes. The only ones left out are the ones who choose to be left out. The blessings of the kingdom are available by faith.The inclusion of the Gentiles is a fulfillment of Hosea 2:23, “I will say to those called ‘Not my people,’ ‘You are my people’; and they will say, ‘You are my God.’” God is “not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9), and “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13).4. WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR ME?We need to realize that as we become comfortable in our faith, as we are more and more surrounded by those who are also Christians, the edge of self-righteousness can creep in. Let’s not lose the spirit of the invitation! God is seeking people intentionally and intensely seeking people for his kingdom. The people in Jesus’ time who wanted to put restrictions around who was invited were the ones Jesus directed these parables to.QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER THIS WEEK:Are we inadvertently putting up barriers between ourselves and other people, to say someone is in or out of the kingdom?Am I more concerned with naming behaviors that help me know who is in or out of the kingdom? Or, am I more concerned with the heart of God, a God who is extending an intense and urgent invitation out into the world?***Check out Nicole’s book on this topic: Help! My Bible Is Alive: 30 Days of Learning to Love and Understand God’s Word - https://www.amazon.com/Help-My-Bible-Alive-Understand/dp/1641580216Follow Nicole:Website: https://nicoleunice.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nicoleuniceInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleunice/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.unice/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.