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Dressed For The Banquet

Sermon
Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A
Matthew 22:1-14
Chris Ewing
Sermons On The Gospel Readings
Series II, Cycle A
This is an ugly story -- and the better you understand it, the uglier it gets.

Both Matthew and Luke record versions of this parable that Jesus told (Luke 14:16-24), and it is not a comfortable story no matter who tells it; but Matthew's version is downright harsh and, as we'll see, extremely inflammatory. Because, no matter what Jesus may have originally meant in telling it, Matthew has worked it into his gospel as a very fierce piece of anti-Jewish polemic. To understand why, we have to understand what was going on at the time.

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Object: This is a role play activity for the children. You will want a container of some kind of treat to give to all of the children.

Note: This is a fairly brief message as presented, but that may help keep an emphasis on the simplicity of the message if you stress it.

* * *

Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Great! Let’s get started.

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Jesus knew the importance of humility and used a banquet to teach people about it. As we feast on him today, let us make sure we come to him with unassuming spirits.

Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, sometimes we are unaware of our own arrogance.
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