The Wedding Feast

The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, and sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.1

Here is the invitation.  How many times does God invite me into His presence and I don’t go?  What about when the Holy Spirit prompts me to spend time in the word?  In the early morning?

Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.2

And yet another invitation.  God is faithful, merciful and kind; extending His grace to me when I am unfaithful, unmerciful and unkind.  Is this not an invitation to change and be like Him.  Is not the invitation to feast on His goodness by turning from my selfish ways?

But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:3

Idolatry!  Discounting the things of God.  Each going their own way! 4  What is important to me; what takes first place in my life?  Have I set myself up as king?  What is more important than God?  Are not the important things to me evident in how I spend my time?  Will not the fruit of my time testify what my priorities are? 5  6  When God calls me what will I be doing; will I continue or respond to His call?  I didn’t early this morning, how about tomorrow?  Will I spend the early hours of my day, when I’m used to sleeping, with God delighting in the word?  Will God find me asleep, turning on my bed like a door on its hinges?7

And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.8

Rebelliousness!9  10  11  12  Have I killed the messenger of the Lord?  Have I hardened my heart to the Holy Spirit’s promptings.  If all things work for the good of those who love the Lord, are not all people messengers of the Lord?13  How do I treat all people, do I bless those who curse me?14  15  How about the least, how do I treat them?16  What ever I do to anyone, am I not doing it to the Lord?

But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.17

Shall I wait for judgement day or judge my own actions in light of the word?  Shall I not cry out to God requesting that He search the deep recesses of my soul?18  Shall I continue to ignore the promptings and convictions of His Holy Spirit?  How can I continue down this road to destruction when I have been given all that I need to be saved?  Certainly God is righteous, should He condemn me however, He has extended mercy and grace through the death of His son.  How long will I trample on such a great gift by ignoring the power to live a sin free life?

My Confession, My Prayer:  I am like a pig that wallows in the mud, comfortable in my sins.  I strut around covered in sin and say that I have been cleansed by you, God.  My pride has exalted me above You.  I humble myself and bow prostrate, on my face before You.  Please forgive me, God, please change me, let me see sin through Your eyes!  Forgive me for my selfish ways and for enthroning idols in Your place.  I renounce sin, I receive Your son Jesus, His atonement on the cross, applying the blood of the lamb so that I can live in the holiness You have provided.  Let Your name be forever praised!  Let the overflow of my heart be pleasing to You, for the rest of my days.

Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.19

Did they not disqualify themselves?  Will my actions disqualify me?  Consider the difference between King Saul and King David.  Both participated in great sin.  God rejected one and not the other.  What was the difference?  David recognized his sin and turned from it.  Repentance is the key!  Shall I not repent, turning from my sin, in agreement with God, so that I will not be disqualified?  What is the fruit of repentance if not humbling myself and exalting God as King and Lord?  If I humble myself and submit to the King can I remain in opposition to Him; am I still at war with the King?

Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.20

OPEN INVITATION TO ALL!!!

So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.21

The bad and the good, neither are disqualified; all are welcome!  Bad and good natured are invited to dine with the King and each other.  Is this not an invitation to be united by putting on the nature of Christ?22

And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:23

The bad and the good were invited however, this man stood out from the crowd, what set him apart?  What are the wedding clothes?24  25  26  27  Are the wedding clothes the nature of Christ?28  Had this man not put on the nature of Christ?  What was this man clothed with?29  30  31  32

And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.33

Consider:  The good and the bad were invited however, only those who had wedding clothes were allowed to remain. The word clothes indicates something you can put on.  What possibly could someone put on that would make them acceptable that this man was lacking?

 

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dale

A man, husband and father, struggling to be a blessing in the lives of others.

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