I learned a shocking statistic about weddings this past Sunday morning from the keyboard player in our band. My youngest daughter had gotten married the day before, and I was amazed at how many seats at the ceremony were empty. Her son had gotten married just two weeks prior, and she immediately began nodding and told me "Our caterer told us that she only plans for 60% of those who RSVP."
As I stood on Sunday night loading pound after pound of pulled pork barbeque, baked beans and cole slaw into freezer bags, I couldn't help but wonder if she was estimating on the high side. Especially when I considered that I only had about half of the leftovers.
Now to be fair, I absolutely understand that things come up. Both of my sisters had RSVP'd, yet neither one was in attendance. One was in bed sick as a dog, and the other one had a family emergency that took her from Ohio to Washington State, yet she still tried to get a flight to Memphis for the wedding.
But I highly doubt that a hundred people had sudden illnesses or family emergencies. Maybe some got distracted and didn't even try when they realized that they would be late. Possibly some didn't think about which college team was playing which when they RSVPd, and decided Saturday that the game was more important. All I know is that my little girl's heart was broken at the people who didn't show up and her dad was perturbed at all the money and effort that was wasted on renting, transporting and setting up empty chairs and on buying and preparing a feast for people who weren't there.
Then I remembered Jesus talking about people not showing up to a wedding. In Matthew 22:1-11, Jesus tells us that the kingdom of heaven is like a king holding a wedding feast for his son. Many are invited, but of those, several just go about their normal business and ignore the invitation. More than that, they even attack and kill the messengers that the king sent to invite them to the wedding feast.
As much as there are friends and family that deeply regret not being able to make it to our daughter's wedding, I can't imagine the regret for those who were invited to forgiveness and salvation thru the atoning sacrifice of Jesus, but couldn't be bothered to RSVP. Maybe they plan on RWTGATI (responding when they get around to it) or better yet, RWIHATFSTCO (responding when I have all the fun stuff taken care of).
But Scripture tells us that no one knows the day or the hour when their invitation will be useless, either by their death or by Christ's return. That's why we're also told "today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your heart." If you miss the wedding feast of the Son of God, you'll regret it for all eternity. So please don't fail to Respond So Very Promptly.
