Matthew Chapter 22

"8 Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. 9 Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding.’ 10 So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good. And the wedding hall was filled with guests.11 “But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. 12 So he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and[a] cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ 14 “For many are called, but few are chosen."

At first glance, it may seem that the king is harsh to those without a wedding garment. What if those people are poor and cannot afford to buy a wedding garment? Why would the king treat them so harshly and cast them into darknes? The people who came weren't even on the 'A' list for guests, they were called only because the people on the 'A' list didn't want to come. It seems that these people were doing the king a favor by attending so the king didn't look bad that no one wanted to attend his son's wedding, and yet the king was so cruel when the people came. Doesn't that sound like a familiar argument today?

People are always making excuses for other people and themselves, saying God is merciful, we will all be saved, as long as we believe in God in our hearts. In reality, it is not the case. There are requirements to be fulfilled, a garment to be worn at the banquet. People make excuses when they sin saying God is love, he will forgive people of their sins, it's ok that their clothes are dirty. But that is not the case, those who are later called were the fortunate ones because they were only called after those 'A' list guests didn't show up. They should have been grateful and wore their best at the banquet to make a good impression for the king. It is not enough just to show up. It is necessary to don the appropriate garment and play the part of a wedding guest at a king's banquet. To put in some effort as a guest who has been invited.

The people on the 'A' list are the Israelites, the first chosen race. After they have turned away from the invitation of God, others were invited, the Gentiles (us). We must be vigilant to know that we are fortunate to even be invited and be our best as a guest. Do not take this invitation for granted thinking that we are the ones doing the king a favor by just showing up, because that is not the correct attitude. The king did not have to invite us to the banquet, but he chose to. Even though we were not the first chosen race, God has extended his once limited grace to us, a blessing that we did not have at first. We should be grateful and regard this invitation a blessing from God and not a favor we are doing for God. Then, do our best in being an honored guest at the wedding, show up with our best garment and behavior. Show the king that we are sincere and honored to be invited, perhaps the king will be choosing his royal attendance amongst the guest that night. Be chosen, not only called! Don't let yourself be embarrassed and speechless when the king asks you, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?’

king=God
son=Jesus Christ
first invited guests=Israelites
people invited from the highway=Gentiles
wedding banquet=salvation/kingdom of Heaven
outer darkness=Hell