St. Matthew 22:1–14
In the name of the Father and of the + Son
and of the Holy Spirit –
Why would they refuse? Why would anyone
reject the King’s invitation to the wedding feast? They paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his
business, while the rest seized the King’s servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them. Who would
behave this way? Who wouldn’t go to the feast? Perhaps you’re thinking, I would
have gone. I would have gladly accepted the invitation and joined the feast. And
in a way that is true – you’re here. You’re a Christian. In a similar way, we who are Christians
are often baffled by those who are not. We know the Gospel – the Good News of
salvation in Jesus Christ – and we cannot understand why others reject it. Why
do they get mad when we speak of Jesus? Why don’t they want to hear about the
forgiveness of sins? The simple, but baffling answer is Sinners hate the
Gospel.
Sometimes Christians forget just
how powerful unbelief is. Sometimes we don’t realize just how much the sinful
heart hates God. Sinners (and that really includes all of us apart from Christ)
Sinners think God is weak. He is a tyrant who has been dethroned and we are
finally free to spit at the mention of his name without fearing punishment. In
the sinner’s mind, God is the enemy and we are better off without Him. And
that’s also why sinners hate the Gospel so much. Because if God is your enemy
then the Gospel is the greatest threat against you. The Gospel threatens to
change the minds of sinners. The Gospel is powerful. It threatens to upset
their world and show them that what they think is wrong and that God is right. The
Gospel invites us to be weak and vulnerable, that is it invites us to trust in
God rather than our almighty selves. But sinners don’t want things to change. They
are proud and independent – nothing is worse to the sinful mind than admitting
that you need help from someone else, that you can’t do it alone, that you are
not right. And so sinners reject the invitation. They prefer darkness to the
light of the feast. They prefer ignorance to the knowledge of the Truth. Sinners
sit in their own filth and insist, “This is what I like,” Because it’s theirs. And
they don’t want anything from God.
These are the people who
rejected the invitation to the feast. And as those who have come to the feast,
we are struck by how sad and foolish that kind of sinful thinking is. We are
happy to be invited and to have a place in the kingdom of heaven. We might even
grow comfortable. We’re all set, and good thing we didn’t reject the invitation
like those other sinners. But not so fast – what are you wearing? There was a
man who came without a wedding garment. And he was thrown out. Once again, we
see the real danger of unbelief. Don’t look away from this parable, as hard as
it may be. This parable is ABOUT those who reject the Gospel, but it’s not
really FOR them. It’s a warning for you! It is possible to lose faith. There’s
no such thing as “once saved, always saved.” For many are called, but few are chosen.
If this makes you fearful – it
should. If this makes you doubt yourself and what you know – it really should. Because
the only way to come into the feast is to shirk your own ideas, your own
righteousness, the things about yourself that you’re rather fond of and proud
of. And remember, this is what sinners hate. It sounds awful – Get rid of your
stuff, you can’t wear your own clothes, get naked. But this is the only way God
will have us. He does not accept us as we are – He makes us what we need to be.
In Isaiah, God said, Let the wicked forsake
his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord,
that he may have compassion on him, and to our
God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my
thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are
your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. This is the essence of repentance: You are wrong and
God is right. His thoughts and ways are not your thoughts and ways. Forsake your ways
and return to the Lord. You cannot come in wearing your own
garments. You
cannot come into the feast on your own terms, trusting in your ideas or taking
pride in your deeds. All of that must be abandoned. And that’s good –
because His thoughts and ways are better and higher than your thoughts and
ways. He
provides what is needed. He clothes you – He gives the faith and
righteousness you need. God doesn’t strip you down and empty you out
and then leave you that way. He also covers you and fills you up with the
righteousness of His Son. That’s what He wants to give at this feast –
His very own good thoughts and ways – the righteousness of His Son that makes
you right and good. This God is not only one to be feared – He
also wants to be known by you. He became a man with us – for us. This God is not
only hidden in the highest heaven, far above our thoughts and ways. But He has also
come down to us, to reveal Himself to sinners, that we might know Him and trust
in Him.
Many are called, but few are chosen.
This warning
causes hearts to fear. So when you ask, “Am I chosen?” Or “Am I
really a Christian?” The first answer is – Repent. You can’t come in
with your own garments. You need a wedding garment provided by the
King. Stop
looking at yourself, at your faith, at your prayers, at your heart. Stop thinking your
thoughts or going your way. Repent. You’re wrong and
God is right. God’s ways and thoughts are higher than yours. So the second answer is – Go to where He
tells you His thoughts. Go to
His Word. Trust the promises of
God and look to the work of Christ for your answer. What does God tell you in His Word? Jesus died for the sins of the world.
Am I part of that? Yes. Whether I believe it or not, God says that
He loves me because He gave His Son to save me. And so He does love me and I belong with Him.
When you really think about it,
this love is the more shocking thing. The love God has for us in Christ Jesus
is more shocking than the sinners who reject the invitation. No one has earned
His invitation and still He gives it. The King has mercy and creates guests out
of those who are not worthy. Still the call goes out. His mercy endures
forever. This is really the amazing thing – the invitation works and the
wedding hall is filled. The really amazing thing is that you are here. The Holy
Spirit has called you by the Gospel and enlightened you with His gifts. By His
working you have faith and are saved. And when we see what God has saved us
from – eternal death in hell – how can we not cry for joy?
Even more shocking He did it all
for us by His grace on account of His Son. He has provided for everything and
washed us clean and clothed us in His own garments. Our sinful rags are gone
and all we have are the glorious robes of Christ’s perfection. Finally, knowing
all of this we understand something else: Not only are we welcome guests. But
the Church is Christ’s Bride. The feast is held in our honor. We are sitting at
the head table. You belong here.
In the Holy + Name of Jesus –
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Charlotte, IA
October 18, 2015
