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lesson 3 THE WEDDING BANQUET Mt 22:1-14 I.
Background of the Parable 1. Context a. This is the last few days of Jesus’ life,
and He was teaching in the temple, 21:23.
The chief priests and elders had just questioned his authority to
teach, 21:23-24. b. He then told the parable of
the 2 sons, another attempt to help the leaders see that repentance, as the
tax gatherers and harlots had, was better than self-righteousness, as they
had. c. He then told another parable,
of the unrighteous stewards, to further clarify the reality that the chief
priests and elders were usurping the kingdom of God, and unless they
repented, they would be punished and the kingdom would be given to others,
21:43-45. The parable of the wedding
banquet follows these teachings, covered in more detail in lesson 2, which
you ought to review before doing this one. 2. Definitions/Cultural Insights As today, wedding banquets or feasts were common practice and were
frequently lavish, expensive occasions.
Often held after the harvest so as many as possible could attend, they
might be week long celebrations with family and friends attending from miles
around. II.
Understanding the Parable 1. Jesus taught first…
that the kingdom of heaven is like a wedding feast - it is a place of joy and
celebration! The gospel is good news, Rom 1:16-17, Jn
10:10 of salvation and abundant life! 2. Jesus taught… for a number
of unexplained reasons many would not want to enjoy the celebration. a. Some
simply refused to come, 22:3, no reasons given, perhaps representing the
Jewish leaders. b. Some
paid no attention, they were busy with other things, their own home,
business…, 22:4-5, perhaps representing the “ordinary citizen of Israel. c. Some
even mistreated the messengers and were punished, 22:6-7, as in the past,
those that killed the prophets. d. One
came improperly attired and was cast out for punishment, 22:11-13, again
perhaps representing leaders, since they had the appearance of righteousness,
Mt 23:27-28. 3. Jesus taught some…
newly invited, would come, would be properly attired and would enjoy the
wedding celebration, i.e. would participate in the kingdom and reap its
benefits, 22:9-10, 14! III.
Consideration and Application of the Parable 1. Rejoice!!… the kingdom is a celebration The kingdom is a place of salvation, of abundant life - let your
face, attitude, speech and actions show it!
You are married to Christ, you walk with Him. What did Jesus say the kingdom is
like? Why might you not be
rejoicing? What have you
forgotten? How has Satan deceived you
into sorrow and dreariness? 2. The Invitation…is for all Everyone has been invited, but few respond properly. Some make excuses, some don’t, some even
respond with anger, resenting the invitation so much they punish the
messenger. What about you? Are you too busy to be bothered, is work so
important you would trade eternal salvation for it? Have you been as kind and invited all you know to the Lord’s
wedding banquet? 3. Terrible Punishment… is reserved for the “rejecters” The one came improperly dressed and those who rebelled against the
messengers were terribly punished.
What sort of choice will you make - to participate in the kingdom on
your terms and be punished when caught or on the king’s (Christ’s) terms and
enjoy the blessings of the feast? As
Jesus said, ”The way is narrow…” and yet the benefits of the narrow way are
great. 4. Choose… You can choose to live life on your terms, working, making excuses,
rebelling… as you see fit, or you can answer the invitation of Christ - to
the grandest celebration of all - of Him to the church, of Him to you. Which will you choose? Even to make no choice is to choose, it’s
to choose the inferior - so when you hear Christ’s invitation to become a
Christian, or to walk with Him in any way He chooses, listen carefully to how
you should dress, and enjoy the celebration.
To choose any other path is to choose the way of destruction. How can you tell if you’re properly
“dressed”, and if you’re on the right path? IV. Memory
Verses - Mt 22:2, 14 |