In Matthew 22:1-14 Jesus in this story likens the kingdom of heaven to a king whose son was to be married and many were invited to the reception, but those invited took it lightly and refused to come putting their own interests ahead of the kings invitation, even treating the messengers who brought the invitation spitefully, and killing some of them! In anger the king commanded them to be destroyed and the invitation was given to everyone the messengers could find. The immediate message pertained to Israel who God had chosen but through the years had rejected His prophets and even Christ Himself resulting in the downfall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple bringing an end to the nation of the Israel of that day. However God made their rejection an opportunity for the door of faith and the gospel to be opened freely to the gentiles, as Romans 11:11 says, “…through their fall…salvation has come to the gentiles” and now the church made up of both Jews and gentiles is called to the wedding, and the long range message of the parable pertains to the church. And the commission of the church is to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” Mark 16:15. But only those who meet God’s requirements are admitted. Even though invited one came to the feast not wearing a wedding garment and was not admitted; we understand that it was customary for the one “throwing” the occasion to provide these garments and all the guests had to do was to put it on, but this man refused relying on his own goodness. God has provided the wedding garment of the righteousness of Jesus for all that will put it on. 1 Corinthians 1:30 says it is “Christ Jesus, who became for us…righteousness…” Then Romans 13:14 tells us to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh…” Jesus concludes the parable in verse 14 saying “For many are called, but few are chosen.” The choice today is up to you.
The wedding feast
Poem by Rose Hill
To come to God’s feast the call goes out,
It is for the righteous without a doubt.
So God’s commands we must obey,
Forsake the flesh and walk in His way.
Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version copyright …1982 by Thomas Nelson Co. used by permission.