Scriptures: Matthew 22:1-14
The Parable of the Wedding Feast
Matthew 22:1-14
Jesus answered and spoke to them again in parables, saying, 2 “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a certain king, who made a marriage feast for his son, 3 and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the marriage feast, but they would not come.
4 Again he sent out other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “Behold, I have prepared my dinner. My cattle and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the marriage feast!”’
5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his merchandise, 6 and the rest grabbed his servants, and treated them shamefully, and killed them. 7 When the king heard that, he was angry, and sent his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city.
8 “Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. 9 Go therefore to the intersections of the highways, and as many as you may find, invite to the marriage feast.’ 10 Those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together as many as they found, both bad and good. The wedding was filled with guests.
11 “But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man who didn’t have on wedding clothing, 12 and he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here not wearing wedding clothing?’ He was speechless.
13 “Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and throw him into the outer darkness. That is where the weeping and grinding of teeth will be.’ 14 For many are called, but few chosen.”
Looking at this parable I ask the question, why would people refuse the invitation?
It would seem they are just too busy. They seemed to have their lives together and didn’t have time for a banquet. They ignored the invitation.
And then there are others who ridiculed the invitation and treated the servants with contempt and killed them. Seems a bit extreme?
This reminds me of what Jesus said in Matthew 7:6 – “Do not give dogs what is holy; do not throw your pearls before swine. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.”
However, when he sent his invitation out to the highways and byways, many were excited and came. Those who are chosen are those who have the right heart attitude. As we read yesterday in 1 Peter 2:7 – “To you who believe, then, this stone is precious.”