Petra - The Invitation Lyrics
Lyrics
Words by Bob Hartman
Based on Matthew 22:2-10
The King has planned the supper for the wedding of His Son
And He sent out His servants to invite the chosen ones
But they would not receive them and they all refused to come
So He sent them to the highways inviting everyone
They came from every direction
They entered into the gates of the One
The One who called them and gave them the right to sit next to His Son
Do you see...
It's your invitation
Your presence is requested at the marriage of the Lamb
It's your invitation
To be the guest of honor at the wedding of the Great I Am
They'll come from every nation, tribe, and tongue
All those with ears to hear Him knocking
There will be rich and poor alike
There will be old and young
He stands outside of the door
Not all will hear Him but there will be some
They'll hear the voice of the Bride and the voice of the Spirit
say, "come"
Do you hear...
Oh, He's God's worthy Lamb
We'll drink from the Water of Life
In garments of white
With no end in sight
Did you know...
Video
Petra - The Invitation
Meaning & Inspiration
Petra's "The Invitation," released in 1998 on the album *God Fixation*, stands as a powerful musical interpretation of the parable found in Matthew 22:2-10. Bob Hartman, the lyricist, masterfully draws from this biblical account to paint a vivid picture of God's boundless grace and the far-reaching nature of His divine plan for salvation. The song opens by recounting the initial invitation to a grand supper, representing God's kingdom, extended by the King to His chosen guests. However, the core of the narrative, and indeed the heart of the song's message, lies in the rejection of this initial call by those who were invited, prompting the King to send His servants to the "highways and byways," inviting "everyone." This shift in outreach vividly illustrates God's unwavering desire to fill His house, demonstrating that His invitation is not exclusive but rather extends to all, regardless of their background or status. The lyrics directly echo the parable's progression, emphasizing that those found on these less conventional paths were welcomed, not just as attendees, but as honored guests given the privilege of sitting beside the Son.
The song then pivots to a direct address to the listener, proclaiming, "It's your invitation." This personal plea underscores the universality of the offer. The "marriage of the Lamb" is a clear reference to the consummation of Christ's union with His church, a theme explored extensively in Revelation chapters 19 and 21. The "Great I Am" is a profound self-designation of God, most notably revealed to Moses in Exodus 3:14, signifying His eternal and self-existent nature. Petra emphasizes that this invitation transcends societal divides, with people coming "from every nation, tribe, and tongue," a prophetic echo of Revelation 7:9. The song acknowledges that not all will perceive this call, as "not all will hear Him," but it highlights the spiritual discernment required to "hear the voice of the Bride and the voice of the Spirit." This "come" is the insistent, loving call of the Holy Spirit, actively drawing individuals to Christ. The final verses offer a glimpse of the glorious reward: participation in the eternal joy of God’s presence, symbolized by "drinking from the Water of Life," a promise from Jesus in John 4:14 and Revelation 22:17, and being robed in "garments of white," signifying righteousness, as mentioned in Revelation 7:13-14. "The Invitation" is not merely a song; it’s a profound theological statement set to music, urging listeners to recognize their own call to eternal fellowship with the Almighty, a call born out of His immense love and desire for every soul to be a part of His eternal celebration.