Journal Matt 22 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)
Scripture: “And again Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying:
“The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast—but they would not come.
Again, he sent other servants, saying, “Tell those who are invited, “See? I have prepared my dinner…and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast.” But (the invited) paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them.
The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city.
The (the king) said to his servants: “The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore to the main roads and invite as many as you can find.” (And the wedding hall was filled with guests).
But when the king came to look at the guests, he saw a man who had no wedding garment. And the king said to him, “Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?” And (the guest) was speechless.
Then the king said to the attendants, “Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
For many are called, but few are chosen.”” Matt 22:1-14
Observation: Long reading. But necessary. This story/example/comparison is about the Gospel as well as many other references in the Bible. The Gospel isn’t only about Man’s redemption through faith in the Blood of Christ, it is also the Celebration of the Unchangeable attributes of God.
Analysis: Sitting here, I am thinking how uncomfortable thinking about God and his Gospel is. I am very comfortable to think about Him, His love and mercy, grace extended to me so that I may approach him without fear, etc.
I am not so comfortable thinking about the other side of Him: Where his Justice kicks in and the many implications of that. Part of that uncomfortableness is because I can only think in two dimensions (maybe—jury’s out even for that) but God is Eternal and Omniscient—He thinks in all dimensions at the same time.
Here is the story of a king, throwing a party for the Son, and in exuberance inviting a specific guest list (Israel maybe?). Perhaps it was too much bother and they made excuses and wouldn’t participate.
The king made another plea but those invited guests were rude up to the point of killing the messengers.
The king sent out a broad invitation to everyone not of the original guest list. Many came.
Even then, the king saw a man who was in the Wedding Hall but not attired properly—kept his old clothes and didn’t change. This man, although responding to the Invitation, knew the password and the secret handshake, was found by the king not to be worthy of the Wedding Feast of the Son and was tossed out into the Darkness.
I can read this story and say to myself, “This is about all those poor souls who need Jesus.”
Maybe the more correct way of thinking about it is, “Did I take my old clothes off and am I dressed for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb?”
Prayer: “Many are called but few are chosen.” This godly principle holds a lot of folks up, O Lord. It is that two-dimensional thinking we are saddled with, that my obligation to decide is contrasted with Your eternal Sovereignty of decision.
The scripture says, “Examine yourself; see (determine) if you are in the Faith.” Help me to do that without fear of reprisal, acknowledge issues, confess them to others, and repent. I want to be godly in my transparency, O Lord.
Bring revival, AMEN.