Todays readings.. Genesis 34&35, Psalm 37, Matthew 22

    One of the most telling parables of Jesus is his story about “a king who gave a wedding feast for his own son” [Matt. 22 v.2].  Strangely the king had difficulty finding guests who were interested in attending.  Many have more important things to do.     He “sent his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast but they would not come” [v.3]   Why is that?  We parallel this with Jesus’ statement “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel ” [Matt. 15 v.24].  They rejected his invitation. 

    Further invitations are sent out, “but they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his business.” [v.5]   And so it has been throughout history!  Today, it is even more so, people dismiss the invitation as irrelevant to their lives – although some may give a token impression of accepting.

    The time came when “The wedding feast was ready , but those invited were not worthy” [v.8]  There is every reason to believe that time is now!  Jesus is ready to come back – the world is in desperate need of him although few realise this.    A final effort is made by the creator and his “servants went out into the roads and gathered all whom they found , both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests.” [v.10]   In Luke’s record of this parable it says they went out to “the highways and hedges” [14 v.23] to find potential guests – and so the message has been taken far and wide today.

    It is vital that guests put on a “wedding garment” [v.11,12] which the king helps to provide. In Rev. Ch. 19 we read of “the marriage of the Lamb” and “his bride” was to “clothe herself with fine linen … (which) is the righteous deeds of the saints” [v.7,8]. In the parable one is present “without a wedding garment” and the servants “cast him into outer darkness.” [v.13] 

    As with nearly all Christ’s parables, there is a final “punch line” – so note v.14, “For many are called, but few are chosen.”  As we read the scriptures each day it becomes ever clearer why they are chosen.