The Parable of the Wedding Feast

Once, during my first year of teaching, I was invited to be an usher for the wedding of some close friends. Having missed the rehearsal dinner due to a marching band performance, I had not yet received my tuxedo. On the big day, I was the last member of the wedding party to arrive, due to teaching all day and the necessity of a shower. Upon my arrival, the host immediately greeted me, spoke to me as a friend and showed me to a room to change where a tuxedo complete with bowtie and shiny shoes awaited. There was a gift, a place and food already prepared for me, all that remained was for me to put on the clothes and take part in the celebration... 

In Matthew 22, Jesus teaches the Parable of the Wedding Feast, using powerful symbolism to present important spiritual truths. I have highlighted 3 important Truths we can learn from this parable. If you are unfamiliar with the text, I suggest reading it first. 

Objective: 

It is my goal that each reader can grasp the importance of accepting Jesus' invitation and feel empowered to extend that invitation to others by understanding 3 spiritual truths contained in this parable.

Truth #1: The Host Has Provided The Wedding Clothes

The wedding invitation represents being invited to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, the great celebration when Jesus will be united with His bride, the church. People of every tongue, tribe, nation and language are invited. This is repesented by the host sending out his servants to the main crossroads of the great city, as people from all over the world came through Jerusalem, where Jesus was teaching as he delivered this parable. Putting on the wedding clothes represents salvation, being clothed in righteousness. Just as I needed to put on the proper clothes before participating in my friend's wedding celebration, only those who are clothed with salvation may take part in marriage supper of the Lamb. 

I will rejoice greatly in Adonai. My soul will be joyful in my God. For He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wraped me in a robe of righteousness--like a bridegroom wearing a priestly turban, like a bride adorning herself with her jewels.  -Isaiah 61:10

Let us rejoice and be glad and give glory to Him! For the wedding of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready. She was given fine linen to wear, bright and clean.  -Revelation 19:7-8

Truth #2: Preparations Have Been Made

The host had already killed the fatted calf and prepared the feast, when he sent his servants out to invite everyone to come, just as Jesus has already been sacrificed so that we can have communion with God and He has sent His servants into all the world to proclaim the good news. He has already paid the penalty for our sins and for the those of the whole world. Everyone is invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb. Preparations have been made. Everything is already paid for and Everyone is invited.

He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for the sins of the whole world.  -1 John 2:2

He desires all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the Truth.  -1 Timothy 2:2

The Spirit and the bride say "Come!" Let the one who hears say, "Come," Let the one who is thirsty come--let the one who wishes freely take the water of life!  -Revelation 2:17

Truth #3: RSVP Is Required

Anyone who heard this parable in the first century could have immediately understand that the offer to provide proper wedding attire was included with the wedding invitation and that the man in this parable had refused to put them on. This represents refusing Jesus, refusing to be clothed with salvation. There will be no tuxedo t-shirts at this wedding. No one is sneaking in without the proper clothing and you can't fake it. The host called him "Friend." It wasn't too late for him to respond, but he refused and was destroyed. Each individual must make the choice to respond to God's call. The servants of the host who were mistreated and killed represent the prophets who Israel killed when they refused to listen to them calling the people to repentance. The destruction ordered by the King represents the way that Israel was destroyed because of their refusal to respond appropriately to God's call to repent and this provides a prophetic picture of the ultimate judgement that awaits those who refuse to respond to God's Invitation.

I will consign you to the sword and all of you will bow down to the slaughter. Because I called, but you did not answer; I spoke, but you did not listen. You did what was evil in my sight and chose that in which I did not delight"  -Isaiah 65:12

Invitation

We have already read that God desires all people to be saved and to come to know the truth. If you have never accepted God's Invitation, I encourage you to take that step right now. Thank Jesus for the sacrifice He made for you. Ask for forgiveness and invite Him to come into your life, clothe you with salvation and be your friend. Then tell someone about your decision. 

Activation

If you are already a believer, then it is our role to invite others to the wedding feast. Just as the host sent out his servants to invite everyone to the supper, Jesus has sent us to share the good news with the whole world and to invite them to enter into a relationship with Him. Make a list of 5 people you know that you could share Jesus with, or invite to church. List specific activities or events you could invite them to such as a conference. Think of ways to cultivate conversation with them, perhaps over a meal. 

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Here is a link to a 25 minute sermon on this passage which takes a deeper look at this fascinating passage: 

The Wedding Banquet

God's Word Is Good As Gold: Commentary on Psalm 19:8-12

The Torah of ADONAI is perfect, restoring the soul. 8

The Testimony of ADONAI is trustworthy, making the simple wise 8b

The Precepts of ADONAI are right, giving joy to the heart 9

The Mitzvot of ADONAI are pure, giving light to the eyes 9b

The fear of ADONAI is clean, enduring forever 10

The judgements of ADONAI are true and altogether righteous 10b

They are more desirable than gold, yes, much more than pure gold. They are sweeter than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them your servant is warned. In keeping them there is great reward. 11-12

8-The Torah, the 1^st 5 books of the Bible, also called the Law, was given by God to tutor us, to show us how to break the curse of sin and live righteously. While we are really grateful to live under grace and receive salvation through faith, the Law demonstrates God’s character, His moral values, His heart for people and shows us how He hates the sin that corrupts and harms us. He gave the law to help people live in a safe, healthy, productive environment. Jesus kept the entire law in our place so that we can receive the benefits as the Holy Spirit guides us. There is a reason for everything in the Torah and if we understand the reason, we can understand how to apply to our lives today so that we can receive refreshing and renewing in our souls and restoration in our lives.

8b-God’s testimony, His witness throughout all of Scripture, the law, the prophets, the historical accounts, all of it is true, reliable and accurate. We can believe every word of Scripture is a truthful and correct account of history and that it reveals God’s loving plan of redemption to us. His word makes foolish people wise.

9-The principles set forth in God’s word bring us joy and make our hearts glad. God loves justice, fairness and righteousness. When His Word was first given, it stood out as strikingly different than anything else. It teaches us how to treat our fellow man with dignity, honor and respect.

9b-The Mitzvot, or commandments, of God are entirely pure, radiantly pure, they give light to our eyes. They help us to see the truth and allow our eyes to shine brightly with a fire of purpose in this life

10-To fear God means to honor Him with deep reverence, awe and respect. This will never fade away, as the true worshippers of God will never lose our since of wonder and amazement at who He is. In context, the fear of God also means that we should have a deep and abiding respect for His Word, the Bible.

10b—God’s judgement is always right. His decisions overrule all human wisdom. He is a loving Father, who loves justice and fairness and hates evil. He hates the harm and suffering that sin brings and He loves to put things right in our lives. God’s judgement is always for our good, whether mankind agrees with Him or not. All Blessings and every good gift comes from Him.

God’s word is more desirable than riches or the sweetest of honey and there are great rewards in following it. It is so very good, so completely different and set apart from any other book. 2 Timothy 3:16 tells us that:

“All Scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.”  (both Old and New Testaments)

Proverbs 13:14 tells us that:

“Wise instruction is a Fountain of Life.”

Jesus is the Word, the very mouthpiece and voice of God. All of the Bible is tutorial, a compass pointing to Jesus, revealing God’s plan for us, His character, His nature and showing us how much we need a Savior and what we need saving from. God will work through His word to:

-restore, refresh and renew your soul

-make you wise

-fill your heart with joy and gladness

-enlighten your understanding and make your eyes bright

Will you choose to believe? Will you drink from the refreshing fountain of God’s Word?