Matthew 22:1-14

Although Jesus originally directed this parable to the Jewish authorities of His day, it has some things to say to us too.

Jesus again in reply spoke to them in parables, saying, 2 “The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. 3 He dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the feast, but they refused to come. 4 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.”’ This is rich, succulent food.  It took a long time to get it ready. This is the same extravagant generosity we see in Isaiah 55 .  God “cares enough to send the very best.”   5 Some ignored the invitation and went away, one to his farm, another to his business. We have to be willing to deviate from our normal routine to get the rich things God offers. Luke 10:40-42. 6 The rest laid hold of his servants, mistreated them, and killed them. 7 The king was enraged and sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. 8 Then he said to his servants, ‘The feast is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy to come. 9 Go out, therefore, into the main roads and invite to the feast whomever you find.’ 10 The servants went out into the streets and gathered all they found, bad and good alike, and the hall was filled with guests. Jesus welcomes all; no repentant sinner is tuned away. Matthew 9:10-13; Mark 2:15-17; Luke 5:29-31; Luke 15; John 6:37. 11 But when the king came in to meet the guests he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding garment. 12 He said to him, ‘My friend, how is it that you came in here without a wedding garment?’. But he was reduced to silence. 13 Then the king said to his attendants, ‘Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.’ God gives us a chance to address our short falls. The host here doesn’t throw the man out because of the absence of the wedding clothes, but because the man won’t respond to the opportunity to correct the problem. We too are given opportunities to correct our erring ways, and we too suffer if we fail to take advantage of them. Proverbs 1:25-26; Proverbs 1:29-31; Proverbs 29:1 14 Many are invited, but few are chosen.” Perhaps this speaks to what is expected of us after we turn to and accept Jesus. Although Jesus accepts all who sincerely repent (see v. 10 above), He expects obedience, a sincere effort to live in the ways He tells us about and models. See Matthew 7:13-23; John 15:4-6.

How does this impact you; what changes—or reinforcements—does it suggest to you?