Jesus came to put things right-side up but we are so immersed in this fallen world that it feels upside down. It required faith to believe that

Jesus knows what he is doing. But when you catch on to what Jesus is up to, the kingdom become Good News!

The phrase "good new" is the greek word "euangelion" which is also translated Gospel. To illustrate what's good about the good news we often use illustrations like the following:

Illustration #1 You are drowning in sin. Picture yourself in the middle of an ocean with no land in sight. You can swim as hard as you want but will never be able to save yourself. Just as you give up all hope Captain Jesus arrives in the Gospel Life Boat and throws you a life saver. That's good news. You can grab on and be saved. You can also refuse, but why would you do that?

Illustration #2 You have a terminal disease called sin. There are terrible symptoms. You treat the symptoms but just as you begin to feel some relief another symptom afflicts you. There is no remedy for your disease. Just as you give up all hope Dr. Jesus appears with the Gospel Cure. That's good news! You can accept it and be healed. You can also refuse, but why would you do that?

Illustration #3 You have been found guilty of sin and sentenced to life in prison. You have no excuse, no defense. You have been justly charged and rightly condemned. You are doomed. Just as you give up all hope of freedom, King Jesus offers you a pardon. That's good news! You can accept it or refuse it. But why would you refuse a pardon?

What I like about the illustration:
1. We are in desperate need and can't save ourselves
2. Jesus is our only savior
3. One can either accept Jesus or reject him

Where the illustrations fall short:
They put the emphasis on the problem: drowning, disease, prison. The Gospel save you and that's good news! But it makes the gospel an emergency rescue mission. If the good news is only for emergencies, how often do you really need it? It's like insurance. Insurance in only good news if you have an emergency. Otherwise you don't think much about it.

I don't disagree with any of the illustrations. But they are not complete. The kingdom is much more than a one time salvation event. Today's parable is not about a rescue but an invitation to a party!

This is a terrible insult but the king is unbelievably forgiving. On such a happy occasion he simploy refuses to be offended. He sends a third invitation with servants who give a full explanation. "The food is prepared, there's no charge, the king wants you to come celebrate with him." There are two different reactions to this third invitation.

The king is throwing a party to end all parties. A wedding banquet for his son. He is full of joy and wants to share his joy with everyone who comes. The king sent invitations to a select group weeks earlier. The invitation had been received and all had agreed to come. They would be ready when the second invitation arrived annoucing, "All things are ready, come to the feast!" But everyone refused to come to the king's party

First Reaction: some just blow off the servants. They have more important things to do. They would rather go about their own business than celebrate with the king.
Second Reaction: Other form an insurrection. They torture the messengers and actually kill the servants that brought them this good news invitation. The king, who has been full of joy, is now full of anger. He sends his army and destroys the city of those rebels.

There's still nobody at the banquet. Everyone he invited has refused to come. He instructs his servants to invite every person they meet. What's good about the good news? Ask the people who respond to this final invitation as they are given a beautiful, clean robe to wear. Ask them as they sit around a banquet table with more food than they have ever seen. Here their past is not held against them, their mistakes are not brought up, there is no class distinctions, no gender restrictions. Everyone is welcome. There are not here because they deserve to be here. They are here because the king wants them.

One guy doesn't fit in. He's not wearing the special robe provided by the king. He has no reason for not being properly dressed. The king realizes that he is part of the rebellion. His very presence is a danger to the kingdom. He was tied up and thrown into darkness. Who is this guy?

He represents the pretenders, fakers, and frauds. He is the bad fish that was separated from the good fish at the judgement. He is the weeds that grow up with the wheat and are finally burned. He represents those who pretend to be followers of God. Their hypocrisy does great damage to the kingdom. But the king knows who they are so we don't need to worry about it.

There's a party going on and we've all be invited. Only a fool would refuse to come to this banquet. The good news is that Jesus Christ is the savior of all mankind. Rich, poor, male, female, good and bad. The invitation have been sent. All things are ready. You're invited to celebrate the wedding of heaven and earth. The Son is the groom and the church is his bride. Repentance is how one accepts the invitation. Baptism is how one is clothed with Jesus' robe of righteousness. Every day you can rejoice that you've been chosen to sit at the kings' table. Abundant blessings are avaliable all at the king's expense.

The gospel does rescue us from sin, but that's only part of the good news. We are invited to celebrate with God every day of our lives. And because of Jesus there will be no end to our days. We have been given the greatest gift of all: eternal life. And that is good news!