The parable of the wedding garment

The parable of the wedding garment

Text: Matthew 22:1-3.            

“And Jesus answered and spoke to them again by parables and said:
“The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they were not willing to come.

I expect most of us here been invited to a wedding in the past. Maybe the last invitation you had come from Jason and Sarah Abbey, who invited us to be part of their marriage service in the sight of God. On your invite you found the letters RSVP, which simply means “please reply.”

Well today I have my own R.S.V.P. invite to you. On behalf of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit I would like to invite you to a Royal Wedding, that could be happening any day soon. So, God is looking for YOUR response today to His invite.

Jesus speaks of this Royal Wedding. What is so special about this wedding? You are invited to come! For the Bible says, “whosoever may come,” that incudes you and me.

1.    Provision. Matthew 22:4.

“See, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready.”

The provision was wholly God’s work (The King in the parable). God spared not His own beloved Son, but freely gave Him up to the death on a cross so that the “whosoever may come!” “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” John 3:16.

 The provision was very great; for it included “all things.” All things are yours if you are Christ’s.

2.    Invitation. Matthew 22:4.

“Come to the wedding.”

This invitation is for all. Whosoever will may come; both bad and good were called. The Gospel invitation “takes no notice of our character;” even the vilest as well as the most righteous must accept the invitation to come to Jesus on equal terms.

No one deserves it, for it is the goodness of God freely given grace offered to all. The rich and the poor are both alike indebted to the mercy and grace of God for salvation.

3.    Inspection. Matthew 22:11.

          “But when the king came in to see the guests.”

Like a military sergeant, each one will be closely inspected. All who accept the invitation expect to see the King; with joy they wait for His Coming. Those who are living in rebellion against His will, despising His grace, may well dread His appearing. For He comes to see and to welcome all those who have believed His Word through His servants.

4.    Discovery. Matthew 22:11.

“He saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment.”

There was only one, but the quick eye of the King soon found him out. The man was obvious, not for what he had on, but for what he had not on. “A wedding garments.” The garment was part of the King’s provision, wedding guests where dressed by the host, but he refused it.

It is not enough that we merely believe the invitation of the Gospel; we must lay hold of the righteousness of God, which is offered to us in Christ Jesus, and upon all that believe. Remember that being among the people of God does not fit us for meeting the King Himself. You may escape the revealing eyes of others, but the Searcher of hearts will find you out.

5.    Examination. Matthew 22:12.

          “So, he said to him, 'Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?”

This is the language of God’s tenderness compassion, for God is faithful and true. It was not the King’s fault that this man was unprepared, perhaps this man was priding himself in his own good-looking garments.

(His own righteousness), prepared for this occasion. The king (King of kings, Lord of lords) reveals that “All our righteousness’s are like filthy rags” Isaiah 64:6.

6.    Conviction. Matthew 22:12.

“And he was speechless.”

He may have been making fine speeches before the King came in, but now his mouth is stopped. There is no one to plead his cause. This man does not even ask for mercy, so utterly hopeless is his case now. It is a solemn moment when all the lies are swept away by the power of God’s presence.

7.    Eviction. Matthew 22:13.

          “Then the king said to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

The man who despises the King’s garment will never taste His feast. Think of what he was taken away from. Away from all his opportunities and companions, into the outer darkness, the darkness of hopeless despair, that is, outside the kingdom of God’s dear Son.

What a change! What a disappointment! Out from the presence of a feast into the place of weeping.

Conclusion:

         

I hold out YOUR invite today to this “Royal Wedding” What is your answer tonight? Are you dressed in God’s salvation when YOU WILL meet the King?