Breaking the Word

While still more people gathered in the crowd, he said to them, "This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah. Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. At the judgment the queen of the south will rise with the men of this generation and she will condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and there is something greater than Solomon here. At the judgment the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it, because at the preaching of Jonah they repented, and there is something greater than Jonah here. (Lk 11:29-32)

When Jesus said that this generation is an evil generation he did not mean to imply everyone in this generation. He was intending only those who were seeking for a sign. Those who sought for a sign, (and not believing in his word) were the members of evil generation. He also said that no sign would be given for those who sought for a sign.

There were three types of signs: one was a proof sign which convinces the observer about something and the other was a prophetic sign which resembled the situation announced the third was a reminder sign. What Jesus meant was the second type: prophetic sign. This sign only resembled the situation which Jesus was speaking about.

Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites. Jonah’s life and his preaching were signs to the people. What Jesus meant was that the people of Nineveh accepted the teachings of the prophet and converted themselves and returned to the Lord. Now Jesus was like Jonah and he went about teaching to the people. But the sad story is that the people have not repented. Jesus is greater than Jonah. 

Jesus again in reply spoke to them in parables, saying, "The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. He dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the feast, but they refused to come. A second time he sent other servants, saying, 'Tell those invited: "Behold, I have prepared my banquet, my calves and fattened cattle are killed, and everything is ready; come to the feast."' Some ignored the invitation and went away, one to his farm, another to his business. The rest laid hold of his servants, mistreated them, and killed them… (Mt 22:1-14)

Kingdom of heaven is like a wedding feast. There is a celebration. Here feasting and celebration are not the most important things. But the invitees are the central points of the story. Kingdom of heaven has its relevance only if the people are there. Celebration will not go on with out the people around. Bride groom may be there and the bride also may be there but if the invitees are not there then there is no celebration.

Those who were invited were not worthy. There were not worthy not because they have not done anything (or done anything wrong) rather they did not join in the celebration. Their moral status was not discussed rather their presence was the most precious thing at the celebration. All what they have done (ignore, ill treat the servants etc) were only signs of their refusal of the invitation.

The celebration needed people because the time for the celebration was at hand. Everything for the celebration was ready except the invitees.  He gathered the people from all over. Anyone and everyone are taken in. Because the celebration should go on. The servants were asked to gather the good and the bad. Only thing is that htey have to be worthy for the celebration.