Matthew 22:8-14 8Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy. 9Therefore go to the roads out of town and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.’ 10And after going out to the roads, those servants gathered all whom they found, both bad and good. So the wedding feast was filled with diners. 11But when the king came in to look at the diners, he saw there a man who was not wearing a wedding garment. 12And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was silent. 13Then the king said to the servants, ‘After binding him hand and foot, cast him into the outer darkness. Weeping and gnashing of teeth will be there.’ 14For many are called, but few are chosen.”
The king is determined to have a grand feast for the wedding of his son. Imagine the extravagant preparation and expense that went into this feast. He did not want all of this to go to waste or to lower the celebration of the heir to the throne’s wedding, so he opens the invitation to others. The roads out of town refers to the cross roads at the edge of a city that lead outwards. This was often where foreigners and merchants could be found. These people may not have been part of the king’s people but were outsiders. The invitation is for everyone who can be found. No one was to be left out. What a grand opportunity for free food! Who would turn down going to a royal wedding.
As might be expected, there was a mishmash of people out on the streets, some good and some bad. The servants did not differentiate but gave an open invitation to all. As a result, the feast was a great success and the banquet hall was filled. But as the king entered the room, he saw a problem. One many was not dressed properly for this grand celebration. The guests were expected to put on their finest in honor of the king and his son. Garments are often used symbolically in the Bible for lifestyle. Dirty or worn clothes represent a life of sin, and white clothes represent purity and holiness. This man only wanted the food and benefits of going to a wedding but did not properly prepare. As a result, he is cast out to darkness and suffering.
Verses 9-10 could seem to support universalism, that God’s kingdom will include all kinds of people, that all roads lead to heaven, and everyone will be saved. It does not matter what a person does, he or she is invited and can come into the kingdom. Put simply, this idea believes heaven will have both good and bad people. Verse 11-13 correct this wrong interpretation. Universalism is a false belief that deceives people into apathy. God as the king expects those who are invited to act in a certain way. Grace is extended, but grace is not cheap. We must respond to God’s invitation by personal preparation through holy living. We are not saved by our works, but our works will demonstrate our obedience to God’s will.
Verse 14 gives the timeless truth that stands behind the parable. The invitation to heaven should go out to the whole world, but only a few will receive it and be changed and fit for heaven. To be given an invitation is not the same as responding to the invitation in the proper way. It is not enough to go to church or be religious in order to get into heaven. We must live out God’s plan for us in this life. This verse seems to support some form of the doctrine of election. We should not over interpret this expression to mean that God chooses only some people for his kingdom and rejects others. An important emphasis in these verses is on the need for preparation and obedience. That is what determines those chosen. God’s grace is he open invitation. The human response is obedience that leads to election. Another wedding feast is mentioned in Revelation 19. Everyone is invited to this feast, but only those who accept the invitation and prepare will be welcome.
For older posts, click here.