Lesson 198 - Senior
Memory Verse
"Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage" (Matthew 22:9).
Cross References
I The Marriage Feast and the Unappreciative People
1. A certain king made a marriage for his son, [MAT:22:1-2]; [LUK:14:16]; [REV:19:7-9].
2. The servants unsuccessfully called the invited ones to the wedding, [MAT:22:3]; [MAK:6:12]; [LUK:14:17-20].
3. Other servants were sent, [MAT:22:4-6]; [PRO:9:2-6]; [ISA:25:6]; [ACT:5:40]; [1TM:6:10]; [HEB:2:3].
4. The king's wrath caused him to destroy the murderers, [MAT:22:7]; [LUK:14:24]; [LUK:19:27]; [DAN:9:26].
II The Marriage Feast and the Appreciative Guests
1. The king invited all who could be found, [MAT:22:8-9]; [LUK:14:21]; [ACT:13:46].
2. The wedding was finally furnished with guests, [MAT:22:10]; [LUK:14:22-23].
III The Unworthy Guest
1. A guest found without the wedding garment, [MAT:22:11-12]; [REV:3:4]; [REV:16:15]; [ZEP:1:7-8].
2. He was bound and cast into outer darkness, [MAT:22:13]; [MAT:8:12].
3. "Many are called, but few are chosen," [MAT:22:14]; [MAT:20:16].Notes
The purpose of this parable was to teach certain truths about the Kingdom of Heaven, using the picture of guests at a wedding feast, and showing the need for a weeding garment, which is the preparation that is necessary for all who would attend the feast.
The Marriage Feast
God is referring, in this parable, to the Gospel feast to which all are invited. The Jews were familiar with the Old Testament passages that pictured a close, personal union between God and His chosen people, because that fact was taught to them over and over. Jesus said, "The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son." So we can easily see the truth being taught here, that God has sent His servants to call, them which were bidden to the wedding. But the parable tells us that they would not come; and we have only to look through sacred history to see how this has already been fulfilled in a great number of instances.
The prophets were among the first of these servants who were sent out to proclaim the Gospel and to call the people to the feast. Isaiah said: "In this mountain shall the LORD of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined" (Isaiah 25:6). We are told: "Unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it" (Hebrews 4:2).
God has likewise sent other messengers to the world of sinners that He might bring them all to Himself. What an all inclusive invitation God has given! If it has been to an earthly royal marriage no one would have refused it, but they do refuse that which is infinitely greater -" an invitation to the Gospel feast.
Invitation Rejected
We read that those who we bidden to the feast made light of it and went their own ways. Some wanted to live a quiet life on the farm and did not intend to be disturbed by the great event. Others were too busy with their mercantile trades, and they had no time to come. Cares of life kept many from accepting the invitation; but with some their refusal to come was merely through their own neglect, carelessness, or indifference. On the other hand, we find that some were hostile and even persecuted the servants who brought the invitation. All who refused the invitation made their excuses for not attending the wedding feast. They all preferred earthly things to heavenly blessings.
The Wrath of the King
The parable states that when the king heard of the refusals by those who were bidden, he was wroth and sent his armies and destroyed them and burned up their cities. Just a few years after Jesus spoke this parable this literally took place, so far as the Jews were concerned. Titus with the Roman army, in A. D. 70, completely destroyed Jerusalem and many of the Jewish people. They were bidden, but they were not worthy. How could they be worthy, since they had affronted the heavenly King by their treatment of His gracious invitation?
The king then commanded his servants to go out into the highways and as many as they could find bid to the marriage. The servants went and gave the invitation to all alike. They did not make any distinction between the morally good and the open sinners. The wedding was furnished with guests. God has told us to do the same, for He said, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15). "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely" (Revelation 22:17).
The Wedding Garment
Among the Orientals, long white robes were worn at public festivals, and those who appeared on such occasions with any other garment were deemed worthy of punishment. The person who invited the guests prepared the garments; and they were given to all the guests upon application to the ruler of the feast.
When the king came in to see the guest, he saw there a man who had not on the wedding garment. This teaches us that there will be an individual inspection of each guest. The king said, "Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment?" The man was speechless, being self-condemned. He had nothing to say in defence of his neglect. A garment was provided, but he neither applied for it nor put it on. His conduct was insulting in the highest degree.
Then the king said to his servants: "bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Such is the fate of those who fail to put on the wedding garment.
Think what it must have meant to this man, after seeing the bright lights of the wedding feast, hearing the joyous music, and seeing the happy throng, to be cast into outer darkness! He would have no time nor place then to repent. He should have availed himself of the means provided for his welfare while he had opportunity.
God has said: "Let us be glad and rejoice, and give hour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints" (Revelation 19:7, 8). We see here that the real wedding garment is the righteousness of the saints. The wedding garment is provided by God Himself, through the death of His Son on the cross. How foolish not to accept the wedding garment, that is offered us! It is free, without money or price. We also read in the Bible: "Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord GOD: for the day of the LORD is at hand: for the LORD hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his guests. And it shall come to pass in the day of the LORD'S sacrifice, that I will punish the princes, and the king's children, and all such as are clothed with strange apparel" (Zephaniah 1:7, 8).
"Many are called, but few are chosen." The call is universal. The servants were to go out into the highways and bid all they could find, both bad and good, to come to the marriage feast. All who responded were offered a wedding garment. It is the failure to receive what God has for us that afterwards brings the weeping and wailing. The Bible warns of the impending danger to those who neglect so great salvation. You are chosen when you accept the call of Christ to the marriage supper. Have you answered the call?
"All things are ready,' come to the feast!
Come, for the table now is spread;
Ye famishing, ye weary, come,
And thou shalt be richly fed."
Questions
1. What marriage feast does this parable represent?
2. Who were the first servants sent out?
V3. Who sent the invitation? Were only the good called?4. How did the people respond to the invitation?
5. When the king came in, how did he find one man?
6. What kind of wedding garment did the king provide?
7. Why are few chosen?