Our Scripture meditation is based on Matthew 22:1–14 of the Gospel Reading for next week, the 20th Sunday after Pentecost. For a meditation on the Old Testament Lesson, click HERE.
[1] 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 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.”
This parable of Jesus about the Kingdom of Heaven can make us feel uncomfortable, uneasy, or even upset.
Interpreting the parable, God the Father is the king. Jesus is the king’s son. Everyone is invited to join Jesus. Yet some choose not to attend the wedding. Other attend, but for the wrong reasons, and get cast away from the wedding.
That’s what is disconcerting about this parable. We want all our family and friends to join us with Jesus in heaven, in the new heavens and new earth. Our hearts ache for those who do not trust Jesus as Savior and Lord.
In the back of our minds, some of us are unsettled because we’re wondering if we’re really included in this wedding feast with Jesus. Are we among those wearing a wedding garment, or are we standing before Jesus without a wedding a garment? If you’re having doubts, ask yourself these questions:
Do you believe in Jesus? If so, we’re told in Romans 10:9 “…if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Are you baptized? If so, your “wedding garment” is Jesus himself according to Galatians 3:27: “[27] For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”
Take heart, by God’s grace for Jesus’ sake you are prepared for the wedding feast of the Lamb. (Revelation 16:9)
Until next week, the Lord bless and guide.
