Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Many are called, few are chosen.
Matthew 22:1-14Vs “14 , And Jesus concluded, “Many are invited, but few are chosen.
This parable grew out of Jesus’s controversy with the Pharisees during the last week of his ministry, when it was very apparent that he was on his way to the cross. The enmity against him had sharpened tremendously. Knowing this, Jesus spoke very sharply to them and informed them very clearly about what was going to happen. Part of that information was given in the form of this parable, which is built upon what he had said to them earlier, as recorded in Chapter 21, Verse 43: "Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation producing the fruits of it." Here is his announcement to these Pharisees that they were to lose their privileged position and that the gospel was thereafter to go out to all nations everywhere.
It is important for us to understand that this is the way our Lord characterized God's invitation -- the gospel. It is an invitation to joy and life. It reveals that what this marriage feast symbolizes -- this fellowship with the Son -- is so essential, so necessary to man that, without it, man cannot remain human. When he refuses this, He begins to deteriorate and fall apart. Either he loses his perspective and life turns upside down, so that rather trivial things become all-important, while really important things are treated lightly and with scorn.
We see here, many people ignore King Jesus’s invitation because they are too busy to pay attention to him. After all, they have things to do. We have businesses to manage, kids to get to soccer practice, television shows to watch, time on social media, political commentary to consume, chores to complete, and on and on it goes. We can have our life so engulfed in busy activity that we ignore Jesus’ invitation. However, we must remember that those in Jesus’ crosshairs in this parable aren’t the law-breaking atheists but the law-abiding Pharisees. The invitation first goes to Israel’s religious leaders, but they would be the ones who reject Jesus. The leaders who were meticulous in their obedience all the while despised the king they obeyed.
While the leaders of Israel rejected the invitation to the wedding feast, the king will not be dishonored by an empty wedding hall. Instead, the invitation will expand and be open to all who will come.What brings God glory is not a small assembly of uninterested guests, but a packed hall filled with guests joyfully amazed the king invited them! God aims to fill up a wedding hall full of guests. We are his servants, and God calls us to go and ask far and wide, inviting everyone to come to the wedding feast.
Jesus concludes the parable with a reminder that though the invitation of grace is open to all, we must respond rightly to it. We must be qualified for the wedding feast. In Colossians, Paul gives thanks “to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light” (Col. 1:12). So it is the Father who qualified us for the inheritance. While God invites us to his wedding feast, he also makes us suitable to come to the wedding. As the king came to see the assembly gathered, he spotted a man who had no wedding garment. The man was not clothed appropriately for the festivities and so is not fit for attendance at the feast. Only those who possess the wedding garment will find the king’s joyous embrace at the feast. By faith, God adorns his people, granting a wedding garment to all who will come to the feast.
The gospel call goes out to everyone. No one is excluded. There is a paradox here. Whosoever will may come, but no one comes unless the Father draws them. We love God because he first loved us. We did not choose Jesus, but he chose us. No one can go to heaven without receiving the righteousness that only Jesus can give.
It is important for us to understand that this is the way our Lord characterized God's invitation -- the gospel. It is an invitation to joy and life. It reveals that what this marriage feast symbolizes -- this fellowship with the Son -- is so essential, so necessary to man that, without it, man cannot remain human. When he refuses this, He begins to deteriorate and fall apart. Either he loses his perspective and life turns upside down, so that rather trivial things become all-important, while really important things are treated lightly and with scorn.
We see here, many people ignore King Jesus’s invitation because they are too busy to pay attention to him. After all, they have things to do. We have businesses to manage, kids to get to soccer practice, television shows to watch, time on social media, political commentary to consume, chores to complete, and on and on it goes. We can have our life so engulfed in busy activity that we ignore Jesus’ invitation. However, we must remember that those in Jesus’ crosshairs in this parable aren’t the law-breaking atheists but the law-abiding Pharisees. The invitation first goes to Israel’s religious leaders, but they would be the ones who reject Jesus. The leaders who were meticulous in their obedience all the while despised the king they obeyed.
While the leaders of Israel rejected the invitation to the wedding feast, the king will not be dishonored by an empty wedding hall. Instead, the invitation will expand and be open to all who will come.What brings God glory is not a small assembly of uninterested guests, but a packed hall filled with guests joyfully amazed the king invited them! God aims to fill up a wedding hall full of guests. We are his servants, and God calls us to go and ask far and wide, inviting everyone to come to the wedding feast.
Jesus concludes the parable with a reminder that though the invitation of grace is open to all, we must respond rightly to it. We must be qualified for the wedding feast. In Colossians, Paul gives thanks “to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light” (Col. 1:12). So it is the Father who qualified us for the inheritance. While God invites us to his wedding feast, he also makes us suitable to come to the wedding. As the king came to see the assembly gathered, he spotted a man who had no wedding garment. The man was not clothed appropriately for the festivities and so is not fit for attendance at the feast. Only those who possess the wedding garment will find the king’s joyous embrace at the feast. By faith, God adorns his people, granting a wedding garment to all who will come to the feast.
The gospel call goes out to everyone. No one is excluded. There is a paradox here. Whosoever will may come, but no one comes unless the Father draws them. We love God because he first loved us. We did not choose Jesus, but he chose us. No one can go to heaven without receiving the righteousness that only Jesus can give.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, we humble ourselves before you and pray that we would be worthy to wear the wedding garment of righteousness by faith.
Thought for the Day
Are we trusting in Jesus’ righteousness or in our own good works? Because only those who put their trust in Jesus will be saved.
Thought for the Day
Are we trusting in Jesus’ righteousness or in our own good works? Because only those who put their trust in Jesus will be saved.
Anish Thomas
Mar Thoma Church of Greater Washington I’m