Dear Explorer,
Read Matthew 22:1-10
This parable may sound familiar, because Jesus told a similar one in Luke that we looked at on Day 186. But because this one has a different focus and ending, I am treating them as being two different parables.
Who is the king in this parable?
God.
Who is the son?
Jesus.
What do you think the banquet represents?
Salvation or heaven.
Who were the people who were invited first, but refused to come?
The Jews.
How did the Jews respond to the invitation to salvation through Jesus?
They rejected Jesus, they mistreated and killed the prophets who predicted His coming.
What happened to those who rejected the invitation and killed the servants?
They were destroyed.
Who were the other people who were invited next?
Everyone else – the Gentiles. Us!
But that's not the end of the parable.
Read Matthew 22:11-14
Now, the information that you need to know is that if a king or wealthy lord was giving a party for their subjects, they would provide the clothing for them to wear to the party. So, while there's no mention of it here, I'm sure that's the intent of this passage and the people of Jesus' day would have understood that.
So, apparently, there's a man who has come to the wedding feast – but refused to wear what the king had provided. That's a big insult to the king, don't you think?
Who does this improperly dressed man represent?
I believe that Jesus is saying that some people will try to get to heaven (or salvation) by doing it “their own way”. Some people try to get to Heaven by good behavior, or giving to the poor, or serving the underprivileged, by memorizing Scripture, attending church, and a million other ways. That is as rude as the man who refused the wedding clothes provided by the king in this parable.
God is God. He is throwing the banquet and He has sent out the invitations and He's provided everything we need for salvation. Why is it so hard for people to accept His way?
Because we can't earn it, we can't deserve it, we must simply accept it. And Satan tells us that it can't possibly be true!
Now look closely at Matthew 22:14. Some churches use this verse to teach that God only invites some people to salvation. The rest are assigned to Hell before they are even born. I believe that the Bible is clear that all are welcome to come, but few will.
In other words, the invitation stands to everyone and it's God's desire that all would come to Him (2 Peter 3:9). But the truth is, very few will be willing to accept His free gift of salvation. Once you invite Jesus into your core – you become the chosen ones!
I do not think this verse teaches exclusivism or pre-selection.
In His service, dale
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