Today's lesson comes from Matthew 22:1-14. In this parable, the King represents God the Father. The son for whom the marriage was made represent Jesus Christ. The bride is the church. The guests who were invited represents those who hear the gospel message. The servant are the ones that bring the gospel to the world. The supper is a reconciliation feast when Christ receives His bride.
The first section is "The Invitation." This part of the lesson emphasizes the universality of the gospel. I believe that most people will decline to receive the gospel. Jesus said the way was narrow, not broad. That to me speaks of the fact that there will be many who will refuse the good news. This should not deter us from preaching the truth of the gospel to all we can.
Both Adam Clarke and Matthew Henry in their commentaries teach that the first invitation was to the Jews. God used the prophets to tell of the coming Messiah. When Christ came, the Jews for the most part rejected Him, "He came unto his own, and his own received him not." (John 1:11) God's eternal purpose is to select for Himself a people that will worship and obey Him. Man was made to worship. If man does not worship the LORD, he will find something else to worship, thus, there is so much idolatry today. The invitation is given to all to come to God through Jesus Christ, His Son. While the invitation is given to all, only those who have received grace in their hearts will respond favorably. John Wesley called this preventing grace (we say prevenient grace today).
The second section is "The Message Bearers." The first servants were the prophets and apostles. They brought the invitation. The Jews rejected that invitation and it opened the doors for the Gentiles to enter in. Today, preachers and laymen alike should be bringing the uncompromising message of salvation to all we can. God sends the call to all, yet many will reject that invitation just like the Jews did in Bible times. No sinner is without hope. We should never assume that someone will not answer the call to salvation.
Thank God they did not all reject the invitation. "The wedding was furnished with guests." "Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." (Matthew 25:34)
The next section is "The Wedding Garment." Revelation 19:7,8 states: "Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor 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." The second work of grace has many names: Baptism with (or in) the Holy Spirit, entire sanctification, rest of faith, holiness, or being Spirit-filled. The point is not the identifying name, but the Bible experience of receiving a pure or clean heart. Without holiness, no person will see the LORD. (Hebrews 12:14 ) This second work of grace, in this life, prepares the soul for the marriage supper of the Lamb in the Kingdom of Glory.
The next section is "The Unprepared Guest." A study of the culture of the day informs us that noble men kept clothing in their wardrobes suitable to attend a marriage. In addition, they would have clothing for accidental guests. The person inviting the guests would have prepared a garment for each one invited. When the guest came in without a wedding garment, it would be seen as disrespectful, arrogant, and presumptuous. Perhaps the guest thought his dress was good enough and didn't want to conform to the wishes of the king. There are several meanings for the parable:
1. Some people may think they are good enough that God will accept them without a relationship with Jesus Christ.
2. A person may be saved but not sanctified thinking that he is good enough keeping his carnal heart. The sad condition in many carnal hearts is that they feel they are good enough without the grace of God who will cleanse and purify the heart. Humanism and the New Age movement lead men to worship themselves.
The unprepared guest was bound and taken away and cast into outer darkness. Men make all kinds of excuses for their deplorable spiritual condition. Someday, when they stand before the King, they will be speechless, just like the unprepared guest was in the parable. A day of accountablity is set on God's calendar and our name is on the schedule. Will you be prepared or unprepared?
The final section is "Many Called But Few Chosen." God calls men to salvation through the preaching of the Word and by the Holy Spirit. God can call through Providence and circumstanial happenings. God uses godly people to witness to the lost. Know this, while man has free will, that will will never choose God. Don't believe me, read Romans 3: 10-18. That will describe man's free will. John Wesley called God's working on a person's heart preventing grace (we say prevenient grace today), so that one would respond to the grace of God and surrender to Jesus Christ.
Many are called to the gospel. However, they fail to meet the simple terms of the gospel to be chosen. They don't really repent and forsake their sins. Today, just as in the parable, people are invited to come to Christ. The gate and way is narrow. The wicked will not enter in. We are to examine our own soul and make sure we are ready for eternity. Everyone will live forever, it is the location that matters. Will you spend eternity in heaven with Jesus Christ and the blessed Trinity, or will you go to a devil's hell to suffer? You are invited to the former, not the latter. To go to hell, you need do nothing more than stay in your sins.
The Golden Text is, "Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner." (Matthew 22:4) The banquet we will experience in heaven is more beautiful and elaborate than the finest dinner prepared for earthly kings and dignitaries. Jesus, has prepared our banquet known as the Marriage Supper. You have been invited, will you be there?
My summary points:
1. God extends an invitation to you to be a part of His Kingdom.
2. As a Christian, we should be message bearers to a lost world.
3. We need holiness to attend the marriage supper.
4. Many are called, but few are chosen.
Next week, "Pharisees." (Matthew 23: 1-15)
Please read the Sunday School Beacon for inspiration and encouragement.
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