PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 22:1-14
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy.” (Matthew 22:8)
What makes a person “worthy” to come to God’s salvation celebration?
In this parable, it was the response to the invitation that showed “worthiness”.
God welcomes all – “both bad and good” (v.10) – who accept His gracious invite.
“For many are invited, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:14)
Who are chosen…? those who humbly accept His mercy… the worthy unworthy!
No one is worthy, but those who humbly desire it, and seek it, will receive it.
But what about the poor guy that didn’t have the right wedding clothes?
This refers to those who come, but are not open to changing how they dress (live).
To want the feast, but not the life the Lord graciously offers to help us with.
Jesus’s primary audience for this parable was ‘worthy’ religious people.
But the question of ‘worth’ is not our goodness, but our openness to God’s grace.
Do our lives reflect humble hearts that want to dress (live) appropriately?
Am I working with Him to clean up my life, open to His making changes to my ‘attire’?
God is open to “both bad and good” (v.10), but will we be open to Him?
PRAYER
Lord, though I am not worthy there is a seat at Your feast reserved for me too. I am not dress properly, but I want to be. Help me to clean up my life, to better honour Your worth!
Rejecting Jesus’ invitation – and then trying to get to the kingdom on my own merit – doesn’t work. I have no right to come to God but through Jesus I get to be a child of God. How did it come to be? Help me to see that the invitation is open to all – but we mustn’t let ourselves and our ‘importance’ or important activities get in the way. Jesus is all. Live for him.
This parable reminds me of the song about the banqueting table. The Lord God invites and yet people reject the invitation. I need to openly accept the invitation and share His joy at His table. I need to live joyfully in His presence. Asking Him to be my Guardian and Guide, His presence in my life, is the only way I am able to live for Jesus. I am reminded once again that I live in His presence always, serving Him.
R- I cannot come,
I cannot come to the banquet,
Don’t trouble me now,
I have married a wife,
I have bought me a cow,
I have fields and commitments,
That cost a pretty sum,
Pray hold me excused
I cannot come.
1- A certain man held a feast
On his fine estate in town.
He laid a festive table,
He wore a wedding gown,
He sent out invitations
To his neighbors far and wide,
But when the meal was ready
Each of them replied:
2- The master rose up in anger
Called his servants by name, said
Go into town, fetch the blind and the lame
Fetch the peasant and the pauper
For this I have willed:
My banquet must be crowded,
And my table must be filled.
3- When all the poor had assembled
There was still room to spare,
So the master demanded:
Go search everywhere.
Search the highways and the by ways,
And tell them to come in
My table must be filled
Before the banquet can begin.
4- Now God has written a lesson
For the rest of mankind:
If we are slow in responding
He may leave us behind.
He is preparing a banquet
For that great and glorious day,
When the Lord and Master calls
Us be certain not to say: