I will admit it. I love going to parties, celebrations, receptions, weddings, and anywhere I can do two of my favorite things: feast and schmooze

So, for the life of me, when Jesus tells the parable of the wedding feast (Matthew 22:1 – 14) I cannot understand why all the people who receive the king's invitation blew him off, and even worse, beat up and killed his messengers.

I will admit it. I love going to parties, celebrations, receptions, weddings, and anywhere I can do two of my favorite things: feast and schmooze. So, for the life of me, when Jesus tells the parable of the wedding feast (Matthew 22:1 – 14) I cannot understand why all the people who receive the king's invitation blew him off, and even worse, beat up and killed his messengers. What were they thinking? What was going on in their hearts? Didn't they know that the king would punish their indifference and defiance?

Well, some of Jesus' parables aren't that easy to understand. But this one is. Who is the king? The king is God, sitting on his throne in the universe. Who is the groom/Son the king wants to honor? The son is the Lord Jesus Christ. Who are the messengers bringing the invitation? These are his disciples/prophets who went out to preach on his behalf. What is this banquet? It is "the marriage supper of the Lamb," that is, the marvelous destiny of all who believe the gospel and are welcomed a sweet fellowship with God, and eventually into heaven. Who were the people first given the invitation? They are the religious leaders and those who ignore or despise Jesus. Who are the ones brought in – "both bad and good" from the highways and byways? These are the believing Jews, the Gentiles and the unwashed and those formerly unwelcomed.

Jesus is telling quite the tale here. What do you think of it?

Let me mention a couple of things for you to consider. First, we learn from Jesus that "indifference to Christ" and "opposition to Christ" are both "rejection of Christ."

First, are you indifferent to Jesus and the gospel message? Do you know people who are? I'm talking about folks like the ones in the parable who have to "take care of their field," or "attend to their business" and who make the King and his blessings a low, low priority. You know what I'm talking about. They simply reason: "I have too many good things that enchant me or demand my attention. Academics. Sports. House. Family. Television and the Internet. Career. These are good things, and they get my attention. Honoring Jesus and responding to God's summons is not important to me and the people I know. So don't bother me with Jesus."

Then, second, are you hostile to Jesus and the gospel message? Do you know people who are? These people are more likely to live in lands and cultures where it is encouraged to hate and persecute the messengers of Jesus. China, Iran, Yemen, etc. But in our post-Christian America we are seeing more and more open opposition to the gospel, and now two decades into the new millennium there are many voices that say the person of Jesus Christ and his teachings are to be considered largely irrelevant and dangerous. So they act to make those who promulgate this Christian message suffer. "You will pay a price to bring this message my way."

So they don't want to come to The Feast. How sad.

In the parable it's a prime rib and filet mignon dinner with all the fixings. The king says "Everything is ready!" The side dishes are the best and the desserts are exquisite. So come and enjoy. Again, the feast is a picture of the blessings of the current and future kingdom of God. The Psalmist says “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." This is the splendid experience of all who come. A festival of love, joy, peace, feasting from the tree of life, and drinking deep draughts from the river of life.

But even more than wanting to bless you, the parable says it is God's intention and desire to honor his Son. This is why he is so relentless in sending out the message. He wants people to celebrate this magnificent Bridegroom. This reflects his gracious missionary heart. The purpose goes beyond just spreading a feast and filling the hall, but that we might celebrate His Son.

So come. Hear his call and come. He will clothe you with the wedding garments necessary for entrance. Yes, as the parable concludes, you need to be wearing the wedding garments with which he will clothe his guests. And you know what that is. It is the imputed righteousness of Christ, credited to our account by the work of Jesus. He lived the life we should have lived and died the death we deserved to die as our substitute. And his garments of righteousness are shared with us. And then he gives us fine linen, which, according to Revelation 19:8 are "granted to us" which are righteous deeds for us to do for his glory.

I love the hymn by Isaac Watts:

While all our hearts and all our songs

join to admire the feast,

each of us cries, with thankful tongues,

"Lord, why was I a guest?"

Why was I made to hear your voice,

and enter while there's room,

when thousands make a wretched choice,

and rather starve than come?

If you would like to learn more about “the wedding feast,“ I would be delighted to speak with you.

Musings from Pastor John, November 8, Click to Email Pastor John