I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. -Matthew 8:11-12

In Matthew 8, we see how by faith, a Roman centurion’s servant gets healed. The Gentile officer had a servant who was paralyzed and suffering greatly. He insisted that Jesus does not even need to come to his home, but that He can heal the man with a word. As a man with authority, this soldier recognizes Christ’s right to command, even with respect to healing. Jesus applauds this faith, and notes that many Gentiles will be in the kingdom of heaven, along with the Jewish patriarchs.

He goes on to illustrate a powerful truth about the kingdom of heaven, as seen in our verse for today. The feast that Jesus is talking about refers to the heavenly banquet, where believers will be united with Fathers of faith in the kingdom of heaven. He emphasizes that people from all walks of life, from the east and the west, will have a place at the feast with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This speaks to the inclusive nature of God’s kingdom, where salvation is available to all who believe.

However, Jesus also warns about the consequences for those who reject this invitation. The “subjects of the kingdom” who choose to turn away will be cast into darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. These are Jews and believers who turn away from Him and reject His teachings. This imagery conveys the severity of the separation from God’s presence and the sorrow that accompanies it.

So, what can we take away from this verse? It’s a reminder of the importance of accepting God’s invitation and following His teachings. It’s not enough to simply claim to be a part of the kingdom; we must actively live out our faith and align ourselves with God’s will.

Repentance and faith are key aspects of our journey with God. We should strive to continually turn away from sin and turn towards Him, seeking His forgiveness and grace. On the day of Christ’s ascension on Mount Olives, He tasks His disciples to go near and wide, to all corners of the world and make disciples of all nations. Paul describes this in 2 Corinthians as the ministry of reconciliation. It is therefore our responsibility to share the good news and extend His invitation to others.

In conclusion, this verse serves as a call to action for believers. Let’s embrace the invitation to the feast, live as faithful subjects of the kingdom, and share the hope of salvation with others. May we always remember the incredible grace and mercy that God offers to all who seek Him.