…while the rest seized his slaves, mistreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city.” vss. 6-7
Matthew 22:1-10
In this parable Jesus tells about a king who issued invitations to the wedding banquet of his son, and how some who received the invitation actually responded by mistreating and killing the messengers. In his story the king was enraged, sent troops, and destroyed the murderers and their city. As we read these words this week we cannot help but think of what has happened in Israel–only what we’re hearing and seeing isn’t a story, it’s an actual event. Hamas has committed an atrocity, and now Israel, full of anger and rage, is in the process of destroying Gaza. Obviously, we can have long conversations about context and the long simmering tensions between Israelis and Palestinians, but for now what we are seeing is pure hatred and revenge, and we fear that what we are seeing is only the beginning of even more bloodshed and loss of life. Ironically, Jesus’ parable ends with a great wedding banquet and a wedding hall that is full of guests, both the good and the bad. Is it too much to hope that someday this parabolic scene might become a reality, and that Jews, Palestinians, and Christians, both good and bad, could sit down together to eat and drink a celebratory meal? Some would say “No way,” but surely there is always room for hope, even if it’s an impossible dream!
Thought for the Day: When is revenge ever satisfied?
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