Jesus tells a parable about a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son and sent out servants to invite the guests, but they refused to come.

Devotional: The parable begins with an image of incredible generosity. A king prepares a wedding banquet for his son. Everything is ready—the tables set, the food prepared, the celebration waiting. All that’s left is for the guests to arrive. Invitations go out, and yet the shocking twist is this: the honored invitees refuse to come.

That detail strikes us because it feels absurd. Who turns down an invitation to the palace? Who ignores the chance to be part of such joy? And yet, isn’t that the story of our own lives at times? God extends His invitation again and again—to prayer, to fellowship, to deeper discipleship—and we often brush it aside. Sometimes it’s busyness, sometimes indifference, sometimes our priorities are simply misplaced.

What makes this parable so powerful is the persistence of the king. He doesn’t cancel the banquet after the first rejection. He sends the servants out again, because the feast is too important to waste. This persistence tells us something about God’s heart. He will not give up on us easily. His invitation is not a one-time offer—it’s a continual call into relationship with Him, even when we’ve ignored Him before.

This is where outreach takes root. If God is a God who keeps inviting, then His people must be people who keep inviting. Not just once. Not just to those who look eager. But to everyone—even the ones who ignored us last time, even the ones the world has forgotten. The parable is clear: the King’s table has room, and His desire is that it be filled.

For us, that means extending invitations into our lives as a reflection of God’s heart. An invitation to church. An invitation to coffee. An invitation to friendship, grace, and belonging. These are not small gestures. They are echoes of the King’s call to come to the feast of His kingdom.

Maybe someone you know has ignored your invitations before. Don’t give up. Remember the persistence of God, who never stops calling. Every “no” is simply another chance for God to work on their heart. Our task is to keep carrying the message: You are wanted. You are welcome. You are invited.

Action: Think of someone who has ignored your past invitations. Pray for them and extend the invitation again this week.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for never giving up on me. Even when I ignore You, You keep inviting me closer. Help me to reflect that same persistence by extending Your invitation to those who feel forgotten. Amen.

Thought for the Day: God keeps inviting, even when we ignore Him.