The Message Of
The Marriage Feast
Matthew 22:1-14
In
this parable our Lord teaches us seven things about his gospel and the kingdom
of heaven. 1. The salvation proclaimed
in the gospel is comparable to a marriage feast (v.2). At a marriage feast
everything is provided for the guests. They are not expected to bring anything.
It would be an insult for them to do so. Even so, in the gospel of Christ there
is complete provision for all the needs of a man’s soul before God. 2. The
invitations of the gospel are full, free, and unlimited (v.4). “All things are ready, come to the
marriage.” There is nothing lacking. No barriers are set before you. No
conditions are to be met by you. “All
things are ready!” The gospel sets an open door before all mankind, and
says, “Come.” No one is excluded from
the range of its invitation. “Whosoever will, let him come and take of the water of life freely.”
Though only few enter in by the straight gate, all are invited to enter. And
all who enter find that “all things are
ready!” 3. The gospel is flatly
rejected by many who hear it (v. 5). Most of those people who hear the
gospel receive no spiritual benefit from it. It profits them nothing. 4. Many who profess to believe the gospel are yet under the wrath of God
(vv. 10-13). Spurgeon said, ”This man
without the wedding garment is the type of those who pretend to be Christians,
but do not honor the Lord Jesus, nor his atoning sacrifice, nor his holy Word.”
The vast majority of those who take up a profession of religion are walking in
the broad way that leads to destruction (Matt.
Don Fortner