Many are called but few are chosen
Introduction
Many are called but few are chosen
Many were invited but really only few were chosen
There were few who were really worthy of the invitation
The few is not an insignificant number
In this parable – Jesus is dealing with the religious leaders of the Jews
The last of 3 parables
21:23 – the religious leaders were saying they were in charge –
Who gave you authority to go against what we have authorised?
Who do you think you are?
They rejected Jesus’ authority
Jesus tells them it is they that have been rejected by God
They have no place reserved for them in God’s kingdom
The unreasonable behaviour of those who rejected the invitation
This is a major point of the parable – driven home in two ways
To see those who reject – an act of treason: an act of rebellion, refusing to pay homage to the Sovereign, a persistent and calculated rebuffing
The people likely had a pre-invitation
This invitation was sent twice
No excuse about ‘lost mail’
A deliberate snub
They are contemptible
They are not interested in the wedding of the Kings’ son
They feel they have better things to do
They seize the servants and kill them
In the man who turns up without a wedding garment
We might think he should get some credit
This man shows even greater contempt
The King would have provided splendid wedding garments
The man is making a statement – deliberating subbing the King, rebelling right before the King’s face
The man was speechless about his actions – he has no defence
There is nothing more contemptible for people to refuse the offer of the gospel
To receive salvation through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ
This is a illustration of the rebellion they have in their heart to God
They are committing treason against the King
The reject Christ because they have long since rejected God
They willing and actively reject the offer of the gospel because they are enslaved to sin
They by nature of fundamently opposed to God and all His ways
They would rather die than come to Christ
There are those who appear to accept the invitation but they do not accept the conditions
People do not want to live like Christians
They do not want to live by God’s laws and standards
This is the reality of our fallen nature
It takes a work of Sovereign grace to overcome this
We need to see God working in our communities – transforming lives
The reasonable judgment of the King
His reaction was just
He was enraged by their actions and His soldiers destroyed His enemies
This happened in AD70 when judgment came on Jerusalem
God will bring judgment on those who reject and despise His mercy
His reaction was mellow
He did not fly of the handle, addressing the man as ‘friend’
His action was decisive
The man was cast out – a picture of hell
There was to be no relief from the punishment
God’s judgment on unrepentant sinners is just
Everyday many spit in the face of God
Many will not accept that God is wrathful
They do not appreciate the seriousness of sin
They refuse to repent and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ – this is the greatest sin
Such high treason must be dealt with
It is not surprising that His wrath consumes people but that His grace saves people
In His love and mercy – He condescends to save
There are those whom He chooses and calls to respond in grace
He gives these wedding clothes
Just as we are clothed in the righteousness of Christ
To be saved – we must be clothed in the righteousness of Christ
To have their sins washed away
To be clothed in Christ’s sinless perfection
The banquet was full
The wedding was not cancelled
The countryside was scoured until the number of guests was complete
A motley crew – both good and bad (v10)
Nobody could tell the difference between them because they were all clothed in the wedding garments
The king’s plans were not thwarted
The rejoicing was not diminished
Those who rejected the invitation did not diminish the King’s purpose – it just condemned themselves
It made no difference to the King – but it did bring condemnation
There will yet be the chosen ones who will fill heaven
They are drawn from all backgrounds
There are those who will be regarded as ‘good’
There are those who will be regarded as ‘bad’
All are wearing the robes of righteousness
They will eternally enjoy the marriage feast of the Lamb
Heaven will be full
There will not be one person missing
All invited places will be filled
There will be an innumerable number – only God will be able to count
All will be presented spotless before God
Closing Remarks
Come to the wedding
To those who have repented and believed on the Lord – you will be cleansed by the blood of the Lamb and clothed in the righteousness of Christ
You will be a child of God forever and never be turned away
You are inseparably joined by the Holy Spirit to the Perfect Son
God does not see us, but Christ in us
Nothing can ever change this
Be among the ‘few’ who are chosen
Do not refuse an invitation
Joyfully come