Good Morning!
As we continue to look at
Jesus’ teachings during Passion Week, we hear one more parable that Jesus told
the religious leadership this morning.
Matthew 22:1-14 English
Standard Version (ESV)
The
Parable of the Wedding Feast
22 And again Jesus spoke
to them in parables, saying, 2 “The kingdom of heaven may be
compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son, 3 and sent his servants[a] to call those
who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come. 4 Again
he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell
those who are invited, “See, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and
my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding
feast.”’ 5 But they paid no attention
and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, 6 while the rest seized his
servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them. 7 The king was angry, and he sent
his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. 8 Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were
not worthy. 9 Go therefore to the main roads
and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.’ 10 And those servants went out into the roads and gathered
all whom they found, both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with
guests.
11 “But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw
there a man who had no wedding garment. 12 And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding
garment?’ And he was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer
darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ 14 For many are called, but few are chosen.”
Footnotes:
There are two applications that I get from
this parable.
1.
Blind assumption – the religious
leaders ASSUMED that they were going to be a part of the “wedding feast” – an allegory
to being present with God in heaven.
Thus, they took for granted God’s instructions to use the position He
granted them to do their own thing – refusing to hear and obey His call. They were wrong in their assumption. One who is called must respond. WIIFM?
God has called me to Him … first to respond to His offer of salvation through
faith in Christ Jesus; second, to carry His message to all.
2.
Incorrect Pretense – here Jesus points
to those who respond to the call but do not truly believe. The King ordered his
servants to go out and bring in “as many as you find”. One who came in chose to attend but to not
dress for the event. Here, I believe
Jesus is speaking of many who hear the message; come to hear the teachings; and
pretend to respond … but have no change in their lives. The King knows who is worthy and who is not …
and casts the unworthy out. WIIFM? I
do not pretend to know the hearts of those who attend church or claim to be
Christian … only God does know and He still seeks them – but He knows they may
never choose to believe in Christ. On a
personal level, I should be aware of the genuine nature of my faith in Christ
Jesus so there is no incorrect pretense.
Why this message this morning? Jesus spent His last week on Earth to call
people to hear the Truth. Should we not
also? Jesus is the only hope for humankind
to be reunited with God in Glory. Use
this week to not only celebrate His death and resurrection but also to share
His story with those around you.
Agape’
Mr. Jim
Prayer: You have called us,
dear Father, to serve as Your ambassadors. Open our eyes to the needs of those
around us that we might tell the great story of Jesus to those who do not know
Him. Use us as You have chosen so that
our lives will be a sweet aroma to You.
Keep our focus, dear Father, on the task at hand. Let us be a glory to
You in Christ. In Jesus’ Name … Amen.
Scripture for today: Matthew
22:1-14
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