Welcome to week 12 of He Gave Us Stories, our series based upon the parables Jesus told. This time we come to Matthew chapter 22 and the Parable of the Wedding Feast.
Although it mentions a wedding feast, this parable does not concern THE Wedding Feast of the Lamb, that is to say this parable concerns both the present and future kingdom. It looks back to what Israel had done in the past and it looks ahead to our present time and today’s church. Let’s get started!
Prayer guides by Tracy Lautenschlager.
Index to Days 2 through 5
Day 1
The Rejected Invitation
Observe
The king (representing God in this story) sends his servants to announce a wedding feast in honor of his son (Jesus, as would logically follow). The guests refused to come.
{Matthew 22:1-3 ESV}
{1} And again Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying, {2} “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son, {3} and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come.
{Isaiah 30:15 ESV}
{15} For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” But you were unwilling,
{Jeremiah 6:16-17 ESV}
{16} Thus says the LORD: “Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’ {17} I set watchmen over you, saying, ‘Pay attention to the sound of the trumpet!’ But they said, ‘We will not pay attention.’
{Romans 10:21 ESV}
{21} But of Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.”
Since the beginning of creation, God has desired a relationship with mankind. The king, who represents God in this story, gives a wedding feast for his son (as mentioned in the introduction, this would be “A” wedding feast, not “THE” wedding feast). That’s important to understand because God is not inviting his people to an event, he is inviting them into a relationship. And the only human relationship that comes close to describing the intimacy and sense of belonging God desires is the bonds of marriage. In addition, note that those God calls to the feast had already been invited (the text says this plainly). The king’s call to the feast was therefore not unexpected and the guests’ refusal to come was without excuse. We may believe that we would never refuse an invitation from the king but Jesus wants us to know that the people of God have a long history of doing just that. We should always be awake and alert for his call.
- In your experience, what has been the most effective way to discover invitations from God?
- Where do you sense God inviting you to go today, or what is he inviting you to do? How have you responded?
Heavenly Father, Thank you Lord for your persistent love for me, for your repeated invitations, and for your faithfulness. I will never understand why you love me or why you have made me your own child, but thank you! I know that I am yours, and my salvation is secure, but it can be painful to recall the times I have turned away from your voice, rejected your direction and neglected our relationship. Lord, tune my ears to your voice and make my heart sensitive to your leading. Strengthen me to set your invitation, the feast of your presence, above all other demands of my life. Amen.
Day 2
The People Never Learn
Observe
The king reaches out again to his invited guests, but the result is even worse, with those bringing the invitation being abused and even killed.
{Matthew 22:4-7 ESV}
{4} Again he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “See, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast.”‘ {5} But they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, {6} while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them. {7} The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city.
{Romans 8:32 ESV}
{32} He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
{Matthew 23:34-37 ESV}
{34} Therefore I send you prophets and wise men and scribes, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and persecute from town to town, {35} so that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah the son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar. {36} Truly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation. {37} “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!
Despite the prior refusal from his invited guests, the king keeps his promises and prepares a great feast. Up to and including the crucifixion of his Son, God was faithful even when we were faithless (and he still is today). When Jesus said the king sent other servants, he’s telling us this is an ongoing problem that keeps repeating itself. In the Old Testament, Israel killed the prophets, and in the New Testament it was John the Baptist and the apostles who were mistreated and killed. Even though the king avenged his servants, the people never learned. In 722 BC the Assyrians conquered the northern ten tribes of Israel, killing or taking as slaves vast numbers of them and burning their cities. In 586 BC the Babylonians came to finish the job, laying waste to Jerusalem and burning down God’s temple, and in 70 AD it was the Romans who again put Israel to the sword and destroyed the temple. Apart from the transforming grace of God, we are relentlessly stubborn and capable of great evil.
- What has God had to teach you over and over again?
- How does God’s grace help end that repetition?
Gracious Father, Thank you for never giving up on me. In your patience, you have gently taught me, again and again, some of the same lessons. You have turned me back to you. You have provided for me when I thought it was hopeless. Your people, obedient to your direction, have reached out to me when I thought I was alone. You have brought joy in the middle of sorrow and loss. You have helped me to forgive what seemed unforgivable. Help me to remember each morning your faithfulness and your character, the only true God. Amen.
Day 3
An Open Invitation
Observe
The king tears up the guest list and invites anyone and everyone to the wedding feast.
{Matthew 22:8-10 ESV}
{8} Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy. {9} Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.’ {10} And those servants went out into the roads and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests.
{Acts 13:46-47 ESV}
{46} And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. {47} For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, “‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'”
{Acts 8:4-8, 14-17 ESV}
{4} Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. {5} Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. {6} And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. {7} For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. {8} So there was much joy in that city. … {14} Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, {15} who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, {16} for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. {17} Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.
Here Jesus predicted something that had never happened before. Thus far these invitations had been extended to God’s chosen people, the Jews. Even the dawn of the church at Pentecost was principally to the Jews. This would all soon change with Gentiles being evangelized and added to the church. That’s what Jesus refers to here when he says the king sent his servants to the main roads. The Greek word used there literally means the intersection of roads, a public space in the city used for commerce. The invitation to join God’s kingdom goes out to absolutely everyone, absolutely everywhere.
- What is the modern equivalent of the intersection of main roads? In other words, where should we be taking the invitation of the gospel today?
- When have you extended an invitation and been surprised by its acceptance? How did that make you feel?
Dear Jesus, You have placed me here, and you have raised up your church here, in this city, for your purpose. As you taught after your resurrection, we are called to go out into the world, making disciples. There are so many cultures around me. People from all over the world have come to live in this city. Lord, open my eyes to the opportunity here, to the field, ready for harvest. I confess that I often draw back from people who are so unlike me. Help me to see where you are at work and to leave my fear and discomfort and join you in ministry here. Amen.
Day 4
Whose Robe Is It Anyway?
Observe
The king enters the wedding hall and spots something amiss.
{Matthew 22:11-13 ESV}
{11} “But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment. {12} And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. {13} Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
{Matthew 5:20 ESV}
{20} For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
{2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV}
{21} For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
{Philippians 3:7-9 ESV}
{7} But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. {8} Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ {9} and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith–
{Isaiah 61:10 ESV}
{10} I will greatly rejoice in the LORD; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
It was the custom in many Eastern weddings for the host to provide colorful linens for guests to wear when they attended the wedding feast. By wearing these linens, the guests were honoring the bridal party and their host. The king discovers someone at the feast without a wedding garment, which is an offense on multiple levels. Of course, a guest who refused to wear the wedding garment was showing disrespect to the host and the bridal party, but in addition to that the guest was declaring that their own clothes were just as good as whatever the host would provide, certainly good enough to be allowed attendance at this wedding feast. That attitude is made apparent by the guest’s speechlessness at the king’s question. Anyone may enter the wedding hall after an invitation, but only those who cover themselves in garments provided by the host can be part of the wedding feast.
- The wedding garments are a metaphor for Christ’s righteousness (see related verses). Why do we need these new garments (metaphorically speaking)?
- Metaphorically speaking again, why do some people find it so difficult to put away their old clothes and put on the robe of Christ’s righteousness?
Father God, This picture of your salvation, a coat of righteousness, is just what I need today. It reminds me that salvation is a gift, and that your sacrifice on the cross completely envelopes my sin. It is a picture of your goodness and generosity. It is a picture of welcome, belonging and warmth. Why would I ever want to return to my old, filthy garments? Help me to live as your invited guest with joy and gratefulness. Amen.
Day 5
Narrow Roads And Paths
Observe
Jesus concludes the story on a somber note.
{Matthew 22:14 ESV}
{14} For many are called, but few are chosen.”
{Matthew 7:13-14 ESV}
{13} “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. {14} For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
{Luke 13:22-30 ESV}
{22} He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching and journeying toward Jerusalem. {23} And someone said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And he said to them, {24} “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. {25} When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then he will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’ {26} Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ {27} But he will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!’ {28} In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God but you yourselves cast out. {29} And people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God. {30} And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”
As you will see from today’s related verses, this is far from the only time that Jesus has said something to the effect that the number of those who are chosen as God’s elect will be small, perhaps much smaller than we would like. When set against the number of people worldwide who do NOT attend church, the number who do is quite small indeed, but we dare not stop there. Within the visible church, attending all the Bible studies and sitting next to you in worship services, are those who may feel like they deserve God’s approval, or perhaps more likely, believe they get God’s approval just for showing up. We all need to humble ourselves at the foot of the cross and lay down any scrap of pride that would tell us we might not be perfect but certainly we’re as good as anyone else, maybe even better than most. God does not grade on a curve. The standard is absolute perfection or it’s off to outer darkness. That is why God replaces our righteousness with his own. This comes through faith in the Son of God, believing he died and paid for our sin before rising from the dead three days later. This is the gospel we should preach to ourselves every day and the same gospel should be at the center of all our relationships with other Christians. Simply because someone accepted an invitation into the wedding hall doesn’t mean they’re ready to meet the king.
- What are some of the reasons why people attend church?
- What does it mean to you for the gospel to be at the center of a relationship?
Heavenly Father, It is a hard thing to consider that many people may never turn to you, but I trust you Lord. You call whom you choose in your wisdom and justice. I don’t know their hearts, but you do. I pray now for the people in my life who need to trust you. Draw them through the narrow gate, Lord. And make me bold to speak of you and to tell of your salvation, because I may be the means to introduce them to you. Let my life reflect your goodness to draw them to you. Amen.