{"id":3475,"date":"2024-11-06T19:48:01","date_gmt":"2024-11-06T23:48:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/connectingwithchrist\/?p=3475"},"modified":"2024-11-06T19:48:01","modified_gmt":"2024-11-06T23:48:01","slug":"not-accepted-the-feast-parable","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/connectingwithchrist\/2024\/11\/not-accepted-the-feast-parable\/","title":{"rendered":"Not Accepted: The Feast Parable"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

\"Many
(Millet\/Wikimedia Commons)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

The king prepared a sumptuous feast for his son\u2019s wedding, but his offering as king was not accepted. Neglectful, unworthy, and rebellious guests were, in turn, <\/strong>not accepted by the king.<\/p>\n

Privilege and Command<\/h3>\n

A parable, by its nature, can be examined from different perspectives and interpreted with different applications and results. This consideration will focus on types of guests who received invitations\u2014anticipated or unanticipated.<\/p>\n

Invitations can be considered a nuisance to be brushed aside, a chance to enjoy a little free luxury, or an opportunity to rebel and turn the occasion to one\u2019s own terms. These guests, though they may be seated, are not accepted. \u00a0<\/strong>For only a few, this wedding feast was a joyful occasion shared and a life-changing opportunity.<\/p>\n

The celebration of a wedding was a highly anticipated and symbolic event in Christ\u2019s time. A week or two would be set aside, and guests were informed long before the celebration time. Elder David A. Bednar<\/a> emphasized that for a king to invite his subjects was \u201cessentially considered a command.\u201d<\/p>\n

The feast was for the king\u2019s only beloved son, who would honor his name and carry out his life\u2019s work.<\/p>\n

Nuisance People<\/strong><\/h3>\n

But when, according to custom, reminders were sent the morning of the feast, the king\u2019s command was not accepted.<\/strong> To his assurance \u201cAll things are ready: come unto the marriage,\u201d invitees \u201cmade light of it, and went their way, one to his farm, another to his merchandise\u201d \u00a0(Matthew 22:3-5). Refusals were a serious insult to both the king and his son. The daily life endeavors were more important to these subjects than those who would determine their lives and their futures.<\/p>\n

\u00a0When a missionary asked President Nelson<\/a> what he should say to someone who claimed to be \u201ctoo busy\u201d to listen (definitely a nuisance person), the Prophet\u2019s response was classic:<\/p>\n

I would ask if they were too busy to eat lunch that day and then teach them that they have both a body and a spirit, and just as their body will die if not nourished, so will their spirit if not nourished by the good word of God.<\/p>\n

We all recognize how badly guests who are now invited to the Savior\u2019s table need to get our values and choices straight. Nuisance mentality may include these decisions.<\/p>\n