Matthew 22:1-14 starts out, "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a king whose son is getting married."
What to wear to a wedding is not a new question.
Recently, I attended the wedding of a friend’s daughter. Shortly before traveling to the event, it dawned on me that I hadn’t found anything to wear? Going to my closet, I waded through the contents. This dress is too dark; this one is too short; this one simply shrunk a size!
It didn’t take long to figure out a shopping trip was needed.
But once I got to the wedding, I was so thankful that I had taken the time to get something appropriate. It was an evening celebration and nothing less then a dress or flowy pants suit would do.
In today’s scripture, the king has invited selected guests to his son’s royal wedding. These guests, however, make excuses as to why they cannot attend.
The king then sends his servants out to invite “anyone you see; invite everyone you meet.”
Within a few hours, his banquet hall is full, and everyone is having a good time.
But then he spots one fellow who is inappropriately dressed. So, he approaches him and asks him why he isn’t wearing a wedding garment.
Now, before we get upset with the king, I need to tell you that it was the custom of the day for individuals and families to own wedding garments. These garments were decorated in order to show social status and were passed down within the families.
However, at the royal weddings, the king would provide the wedding robes. To wear your own would be an insult.
So, the man had no excuse for not being properly dressed. He had chosen not to wear the garment provided by the king.
This is the meat of Jesus’s parable. The kingdom of God is like this situation. Through Christ, God has provided for us a way to be righteous before Him. We are clothed in the righteousness of Christ like the wedding guest were clothed in the king’s garments.
Only God, Himself, can provide us with a way to Him, but we have a choice. We can either accept the garment given, or we can choose to wear our own. The decision is ours to make.
Those who accept Jesus as savior become a new creation “And to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:24. Their filthy rags of sin are washed clean in the righteous blood of Christ.
The parable ends with “For many are called, but few are chosen.” God’s call is for everyone. 2Peter 3:9b “Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
However, few are chosen. We cannot come to God on our own terms. We must come as an invited guest to the wedding banquet, accepting the robe of righteousness He has provided.
Come.
You are invited.
Accept the wedding garment of Christ for the real royal wedding!
And live.
Finding God’s grace,
bym
connect with me on