I had the opportunity to share the Parable of the Wedding Banquet found in Matthew 22 last week with my adult Sunday School class at Christ Church in Katy, TX. In preparing for this discussion, I was reminded of the beauty of the gospel and the importance of evangelism.
I’ve been to numerous wedding receptions in my lifetime. None, however, have turned out quite like this one. I think in this parable Jesus is pointing us to the invitation of the gospel, and what awaits us if we don’t accept his call to repent.
This is a shocking parable. If you recall, a King sends his invitations out to his royal list, and NOT A SINGLE PERSON shows up! So, what does the King do? He sends another invitation reminding them. But one person went to work in his field, and another at his business. These people were indifferent toward the invitation. Others even mistreated the King’s servants.
The King is outraged. On the very day of his son’s wedding, he sends his armies and burns down their entire city. He then sends his invitations out to the highways and byways to anyone who happens to be standing there. And the wedding hall is filled with guests.
God has spread an amazing feast for us in the gospel. It was very costly for him; it cost him his son. He’s invited all to come. And when we reject his offer - either by indifference or direct opposition - it is unacceptable. An entire city burned to the ground is trivial in comparison to the final judgment that awaits those who reject the gospel.
Is Christianity making a difference in your life? Or are you largely indifferent toward the things of God? Do you long to spend time with him in his Word? Do you wait with expectation for the coming Lord’s Day? Do you spend time with him in prayer?
Isn’t it ironic that those who should be ready for the kingdom find themselves ill-prepared? So the Lord calls on those who have received no invitation - representing those outside God’s covenant with Israel. These are not people of rank or importance. These are poor people. They are destitute people. These are people undeserving of sitting at the King’s table. And yet, the King gives them a place at the table.
I love these words of Jonathan Edwards: “God did not make this feast for those who were excellent and worthy to be invited to such a royal feast, but for those that were filthy, those who were loathsome creatures clothed in rags, or rather naked, and defiled with filth. He did not invite those that were happy already, but poor beggars that were scattered, wandering in the highways and dwelling under the hedges, those that were halt and blind.
The parable ends somewhat mysteriously with the man in the missing wedding wardrobe. The King orders his servants to bind him up and cast him into outer darkness. Why is such a harsh command given for simply wearing the wrong clothing?
The guest who does not have the wedding clothes represents the self-righteous Pharisee. He refused the King’s offer of clothing and was without excuse. He doesn’t need to be cleansed by the blood of Jesus. He has done everything right, so he thinks.
This is opposite from what we find in the gospel. Salvation is found for those who admit they can’t earn God’s favor apart from the work of Jesus. Jesus lived the life we should’ve lived and died the death we deserved to die. It is resting upon Him that we will enjoy in that eternal feast prepared for us in heaven.
Michael Burns is a theologian, inventor and lay leader. Michael holds degrees from Oklahoma State University, and the University of Colorado. He is also a former finance manager for the U.S. Air Force. He and his wife Stefanie live in Houston Texas with their three children.