(Parable told by Christ — recorded in Matthew 22:1-14)
Jesus shared a parable about a royal wedding feast, illustrating the importance of God’s universal invitation to salvation. The kingdom of God is like a king who provided a bountiful supper for the wedding celebration of his son. The king sent out servants to call people to the wedding who had been invited, but they would not come. He sent out other servants with details of the wonderful dinner that was prepared. “Come to the marriage, everything is ready.”
Many who were invited responded with indifference or contempt, continuing their business—some to their farms, others to their markets. Others, enraged in their hatred for the king, mistreated and ultimately killed his servants. The king heard of this great disrespect and injustice; he sent his armies to kill the murderers and destroy their cities.
The king said to his servants, “The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. Go out to the highways, and whoever you find, invite them to come to the feast.” The servants went and did as the king commanded, inviting everyone—both good and bad—to attend the wedding feast. Soon, the wedding was furnished with guests.
The king came to see the guests and saw a man who had not put on the wedding garment. “Friend,” the king asked. “Why did you come without the proper dress?” The man was speechless. The king commanded his servants to bind the man hand and foot and cast him into outer darkness, where there would be great suffering.
Jesus concluded the parable, “For many are called, but few are chosen.”
This parable lays the foundation of a great doctrinal truth. The greatest invitation ever to be extended is to be saved from sin and to experience the blessings of God’s kingdom. The call was first given to the Jews, but as a nation, they rejected Jesus Christ and spurned the opportunity to repent and to enjoy the good things of God. The good news of salvation was then extended to the Gentiles. God’s offer of salvation was given to people of every family, nation, race, and language. “Come and be saved. Repent and be united with Christ, that you might enter into the joy of the Lord.”
Many people are ambivalent—silently ignoring the call to the marriage supper. They are busy with the cares of life and have no interest in serving God. They prioritize money, pleasure, education, careers, and entertainment and do not respond to the gospel invitation. Others are antagonistic and actively rebel and fight against the things of God.
It is important to note that the invitation of the gospel is to ALL people—no one is excluded. The king wanted everyone to come to the marriage supper, just as God wants all people to be saved today. He has invited you to come and enjoy His bountiful supper, in this life and in the life to come.
As with any wedding, proper attire is expected. In Jesus’ time, guests were customarily provided with a wedding garment; they did not provide their own. God has made provision for ALL who respond to His invitation—offering robes of righteousness to each one. Our own righteousness is not acceptable apparel. The only acceptable garment is salvation which only God can give. However, to receive this salvation, each individual must personally respond to the universal call to be saved.
It is not enough to show up to a church service or to fellowship with the guests. We must be clothed with salvation. This is why the man in the parable was speechless—for there was no excuse. He had been provided with a garment but refused to put it on. His refusal came at a grave cost: eternal separation from the king’s presence in a place of suffering.
God does not force anyone to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior; however, ALL are invited. Some ignore the invitation, and some delay responding. Others show up but maintain their own doctrines and ways and refuse to accept God’s way of holiness. As in the parable, all people are called, but not all are chosen to enjoy the blessings of God because they are unwilling to meet the prescribed conditions.
Those who are chosen—elected by God and blessed in this life and in eternity—are those that respond to the invitation and put on the provided wedding garment. The greatest of invitations has been extended to us all, but we must choose to respond and be clothed in the garments of salvation. For as Jesus said, “Many are called, but few are chosen.” God is not withholding the possibility of salvation from anyone. The gift of God is freely extended to all by His grace, but each person must choose
to receive it.
Friend, have you answered the invitation? Will you stand clothed in Christ’s righteousness on that great day? Do not delay—salvation is waiting. ■
