“For many are called, but few are chosen.” - Matthew 22:14 ESV
Dogs are pretty good with invitations.
My human doesn’t even have to mail me one.
If he stands up, grabs his keys, and says, “Come on,” I consider that an official invitation.
And if the destination involves a car ride, a drive-through, or anything that might accidentally fall on the floor, I’m responding immediately.
No RSVP necessary.
Humans, however, can be different.
In Matthew 22, Jesus tells the story of a king who prepared a wedding feast for his son. It was a grand invitation. The king had prepared everything. All the guests had to do was come.
But they didn’t.
One went to his farm.
Another went to his business.
Others simply rejected the invitation.
The problem wasn’t the king.
The problem wasn’t the feast.
The problem was that the invited guests decided something else was more important.
So the king sent his servants into the streets and invited others to come.
And they came.
But then Jesus ends the parable with words that can make an old dog tilt his head:
“For many are called, but few are chosen.”
Here’s what this old dog thinks Jesus wants us to understand.
The invitation of God is real.
The table has been prepared.
The way has been made.
Jesus calls people to come—to repent, believe, trust, and follow Him.
Many are called.
Many hear the invitation.
But hearing Jesus call and truly responding to Him are not the same thing.
Some hear Him and say, “Maybe later.”
Some hear Him but have other things they would rather pursue.
Some want the blessings of the kingdom without surrendering to the King.
And in the parable, even the man who showed up without the proper wedding garment reminds us that we cannot come to God on our own terms or dressed in our own righteousness.
We come because of what God has provided.
We are saved not because we cleaned ourselves up well enough to attend the feast, but because Christ has made the way.
So when Jesus says, “Few are chosen,” He is warning us that simply hearing the invitation, knowing about Jesus, or even being around religious things is not the same as truly belonging to Him.
Real faith responds.
Real faith receives.
Real faith follows.
Now, I understand following.
When my human calls and I trust where he’s going, I get up and go.
Of course, sometimes there’s a squirrel.
And sometimes I have to decide whether I trust my human more than I trust whatever is moving in the bushes.
Humans have squirrels, too.
Money.
Success.
Comfort.
Approval.
Busy schedules.
Anything that keeps us from answering Jesus when He calls.
The invitation is before us.
The King has prepared the feast.
The Son has made the way.
So the question isn’t whether you’ve heard the call.
The question is whether you have truly answered.
Because many may hear Jesus calling.
But few are willing to leave behind everything else and trust Him enough to come.
Today, don’t just admire the invitation.
Don’t frame it, talk about it, or leave it sitting on the table.
Answer it.
And when Jesus says, “Come,” this old dog suggests you get off the porch and follow Him.
Keep the Faith… Carpe Diem
