Twentieth Sunday after Trinity
The Collect.
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ALMIGHTY and most merciful God, of thy bountiful goodness keep us, we beseech thee, from all things that may hurt us; that we, being ready both in body and soul, may cheerfully accomplish those things which thou commandest; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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ND Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, 2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, 3 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. 4 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. 5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: 6 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. 7 But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. 8 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. 9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. 10 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. 11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: 12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. 13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 14 For many are called, but few are chosen. (Matthew 22)
Our text for this Sunday builds upon the Person of Christ as both Lord and King. A King is planning a grand wedding feast for His Son. In Matthew 21:33-46, He is represented as the Lord of the Vineyard whose Son the workers killed along with other men who represented Him. Today, He has gone to great expense and time-consuming preparation to insure that every detail was perfect in preparation of a Wedding Feast for His son. This is Christ royal role as King.
Let’s examine the nature, first of all, of this invitation: it is extended to everyone, wide and far.
It will be rejected by the heartless and indifferent - a rejection that provokes the justifiable ANGER of GOD! – Each of us exists either under His kind favor or His great anger. Under God's anger, or under God's love, we must be, whether we will or not. We cannot flee from His presence. We cannot go from His Spirit. If we are loving, and so rise up to heaven, God is there—in love. If we are cruel and wrathful, and so go down to hell, God is there also—in wrath. With the clean He will be clean; with the disrespectful man He will be disdainful. On us, and us alone, it depends whether we shall live under God's anger or live under God's love.
The great King had composed a list of friends and subjects whom he had befriended with many kindnesses in the past. He was sure that they would be honored to come to the feast.
But these ungrateful acquaintances would not come. He came first to His own, but His own received Him not.
The King was grieved that these people, whom he had helped so many ways, would not even honor His own Son. 4 Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and myfatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.
He was a King and unaccustomed to begging, but, for His Son’s sake, he besought the people to please come and honor His Son.
How did these vile people respond to the King’s pleadings?
5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: 6 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.
The Great Sovereign of all power was angered:
7 But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.
In the year 70 AD (about 37 years after the crucifixion of Christ), the Roman commander, Titus, erected battlements against the walls of Jerusalem. After a prolonged siege in which the inhabitants of Jerusalem actually ate rats, and their own babies, the walls fell and Titus butchered every male, and took the females captive as slaves to the rough Roman guards.
8 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy
All who reject the invitation of Christ are unworthy of His Grace and Love.
God the Father is seeking a bride for His only Begotten Son. He sent prophets and priest to invite ancient Israel to come unto Him. But what was done to these righteous from Abel to Zaccharias?
34 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: 35 That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.(Matthew 24:34-35)
When the servants (prophets) were murdered by the King’s subjects (old Israel), the King sends forth his messengers to find others. None were to be ignored. Every person, regardless of race, wealth, worth, or character were to be invited (the new Israel). All who WILL, may COME. But those who retain their old, wicked self-wills (free wills), are rejected.
. 9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.
The Apostles went forth to all nations following the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, inviting all to come. Many ware called, but FEW are CHOSEN.
10 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
Many are found by the servants (ministers) and are called, but simply being called to the throne of God is not enough: one must be chosen as well. God calls great numbers – in fact, all who will hear His voice, He calls. But hearing the voice of God requires, also, that we respond in obedience. Those in whose heart the Holy Spirit sets an ANCHOR are drawn to the Throne of Grace.
We may receive an invitation in the mail to visit with the President of the United States, but this will never happen unless we respond to the invitation.
We must come to Christ, not slovenly or sloppily dressed, but in that finest and most respectful apparel of His purchased White robe of Righteousness. And our demeanor must reflect that respect and reverence in His Presence as well. That covering for our sins was foreshadowed in the death of the first completely innocent animal whose life God took to cover the sins of Adam and Eve in the Garden at Eden. (Genesis 3:21)
11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:
We should never be careless in our service to Christ. We must be animated by the strong love we have for our precious souls. We must be fervent and mindful of every detail (Commandment).
We dare not come before Christ, under any circumstance, as His enemy. He considers all who come His Friends unless they prove unworthy through dress (lifestyle) or manners (behavior and appearance).
The King rebukes the man who came unprepared to show respect for the King or His Son:
12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless
This man had not received willingly the white robe of righteousness(salvation) which the father offers as a covering for our nakedness (sins).
On that day when we go before the White Throne of Judgment, if we have been desperate sinners, we will be as speechless in our defense as the woman taken in adultery. So was this man.
Our Obedience to the Call of God made here on terra firma will decide our destinies in eternity – either heaven or hell.
13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
14 For many are called, but few are chosen
