image courtesy photobucket.com
Many times in life, we prefer options without obligations. Variety of places to shop, do as we please, to not always obey the rules. As Frank Sinatra sang,” I’ll do it my way.”
Actually, you see, it has to be - - God’s Way - - that's just the way it is. There are no options. You can't just do whatever you want. Which is something the unfortunate wedding guest of verse 11 discovered the hard way.
Gleanings taken from Guest Pastor Ken Gehrels sermon on Matthew chapter 22: 1-14
The setting was a wedding banquet and one by one the invited guests began to make excuse. They all had something better to do than come to the King’s wedding table.
In anger and desperation the King told his servants to go out into the highways and byways and compel those on the streets to come in to the wedding feast.
Tradition tells us that wedding guests were to dress in their finery. If they did not have the proper garment, one would be provided for them.
Here they came, some wearing a tux, others dressed in their best. They were showing respect and that they treated this event as a special moment. - -
Except one guest who decided, “What is the difference?”
So he shows up just wearing whatever. Track pants, a dirty T-shirt, and flip flops.
Nobody's going to tell him what to wear. He's his own man. He plays Life by his rules.
It's a huge insult to the host, a brash and highly improper push forward. And to this comes the reply "toss him out." Weeping, grinding teeth in despair, darkness - that's the result.
The story Jesus told was not talking about fabric but about a spiritual action of accepting the garment of Salvation that God has provided for us. We must be fully clothed spiritually before we can enter Heavens gates and enjoy the feast prepared.
We are reminded of the verse in Isaiah 61:10 New American Standard Bible
I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, My soul will exult in my God; For He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
May we never take God's offer of His gifts for granted, lightly, or frivolously, but always seriously and with commitment.
If you have not already done so, please accept God’s free gift of Salvation and be clothed in His garments that he freely offers.
 |
| image courtesy photobucket.com |
Leaving behind the rags of sin, may we all be dressed in the freely provided, Christ-tailored garments of Salvation; and the Holy Spirit shaped robes of His righteousness.
Linking today with: Hear it on Sunday, use it on Monday,.at Graceful! http://www.michellederusha.com/2011/10/hear-it-on-sunday-use-it-on-monday-fair.html
5 comments:
I love the clothing metaphors of scripture. They are so vivid. Yes, the garments of salvation. Now that's style!
Being clothed in his garments. What a wonderful thought. Cover me Lord! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Our pastor preached from the same Gospel lesson this Sunday. As he preached, I kept thinking about the people who so aggressively ignored the invitation to come. Which reminded me of the way that I ignored the same invitation for many, many years. But God ...
But God!
I'm so grateful for the "Hounddog of Heaven" who pursues us even we ignore him.
Thank you for your thoughtful post.
Hounddog of Heaven.
I'm going to be thinking about that.
I wonder if that parable was not only making the points you made, but also the prophecy of the Jews turning their back on the Messiah and the invitation then going out to the Gentiles?
Either way it's a great point and I agree, the world thinks and are taught to do it their way when they don't know only the things allowed or caused by God take place in this world.
Post a Comment