And Jesus answered and spoke to them again by parables and said: “The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son, and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they were not willing to come. Again, he sent out other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “See, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding.”’ But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business. And the rest seized his servants, treated them spitefully, and killed them. But when the king heard about it, he was furious. And he sent out his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding.’ So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good. And the wedding hall was filled with guests. “But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. So he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ “For many are called, but few are chosen.” Matthew 22: 1-13, NKJV.
Dear God, please bless us as we sit at Your feet to study Your Holy Word. This is our prayer in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Our parable for today is rather lengthy. The message is also very clear. Therefore, my comments will be few, and to the point. In the past, I have dealt with a portion of this Scripture. Today, I will deal with it as a parable of the kingdom of heaven. There is an old folk saying that I heard repeated a lot, as a child; it was, “Charity begins at home.” I believe this is true, in all things. In spiritual things, I believe it takes on an even greater significance.
When Jesus sent out His disciples, He sent them first, to “the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 10: 5-7). When they did not receive Him, He sent the message to all. It must be clear, however, that this was not an act of favoritism. Jesus was using a small nation, to show His great power to the world. The message of salvation was always intended for the entire human race – for “whosoever will.”
The wedding invitation, like the net, was to draw all kinds of people into the kingdom, as our Scripture reveals – both good and bad. However, because God is good; and just, and holy, and we are not (in our own strength); He made provision that all could be saved, in His Son! Along with the wedding invitation (the invitation of salvation), He sends the wedding garment (the robe of Chrit’s righteousness), to cover our unrighteousness. That is the only way we can be saved.
In the same way that Israel of old could not save themselves by their “righteousness,” which was nothing more than filthy rags, neither can we. We must wear the wedding garment provided by the Father – the righteous character of His Son, granted to us through His “wonderful grace,” in order to be saved.
Are you planning to attend the Marriage Feast of the Lamb? Do not run the risk of being “cast out,” or worse, being told by the Bridegroom, “I never knew you” (Matthew 7: 23). Just put on the garment that came with the invitation. It is priceless (it was bought with the precious blood of the Lamb), and is a perfect fit. Wear it and be saved!