In November 2009, Virginians Michaele and Tareq Salahi slipped through security and entered the White House. Although they were not invited, they wanted to be part of a formal dinner that President Obama held for the prime minister of India. After mingling with the invited guests and taking photos, they were discovered. Causing a major black eye for presidential security, they were escorted from the premises.
I smiled when I heard that story. I understand that the Salahis are socialites and that their little adventure brought them a great deal of publicity. But there is one thing I do not understand. A big part of me wants to ask a simple question: Why?
Who in the world would want to attend a formal dinner at the White House? I can think of a million people I would rather share a meal with. There are literally a million things I would rather do on a Saturday night.
How boring would it be to sit for hours at a table with people you don’t know, engaged in mindless conversation? Imagine wearing uncomfortable clothes and talking with people who are trying to climb the political ladder. I’m sure the attendees had to endure various speeches, including thrilling words on the economic value of vibrant trade with India. Who wouldn’t rather go out and eat BBQ with close friends? You could wear blue jeans, a T-shirt, and tennis shoes. If it was with Free Grace folks, you could even engage in some exciting Biblical discussions.
When I was in the military, I occasionally had to attend formal dinners. We had to wear what might be called “military tuxedos.” They were not comfortable. We were assigned seats and had to take part in various toasts with glasses of wine. We did not get home until around midnight. I never attended an event like that without wishing I could have stayed home, eaten a burger and fries, and watched reruns of MASH or a football game on TV.
Maybe a few people disagree with me and think a formal dinner would be loads of fun, especially at the White House. But I’m convinced most would agree with me. Formal dinners are not desirable events to attend.
But there is one exception to this rule. In the future, there will be a formal dinner that I hope I can attend. Everybody will want to be at that dinner, even if they do not realize it now.
Matthew 22:1-14 refers to that dinner. When the Lord begins His kingdom reign, there will be a formal feast for those believers who will rule with Him. They will be His honored guests. The Lord gives a parable about a believer who will not be able to attend that dinner. Because he was not a bold and faithful follower of Christ, this believer—though in the kingdom—will miss out on the honor of being a guest at the dinner.
Like Michaele and Tareq Salahi at the White House dinner, the man in the parable is thrown out. He is still in the kingdom, just as Michaele and Tareq remained citizens of the United States. Unlike me with my current attitude toward formal dinners, the man in the parable is devastated over not being invited. In a display of deep remorse over missing the dinner, he weeps and gnashes his teeth.
Other verses also speak of believers who will not be able to attend this formal dinner (e.g., Matt 8:10-12). Some believers may think it will not be a big deal. They can go fishing or do something fun with other believers who are also not invited. That will be more exciting than some fancy get-together.
But this view of formal dinners, so common in our world, will not apply in the world to come. On that day, every believer will want to be a part of the fellowship with Christ that will occur during that meal.
You can have your military and White House formals. If I never attend another one, that will be fine. But I sure hope I am part of the one the Lord will host when He returns. That will be a great formal dinner.
