THE WEDDING BANQUET

Jesus told stories to help us understand the Kingdom of Heaven. At least nine times in Matthew’s Gospel His purpose is explicitly stated.

 “The kingdom of heaven is like…” (Matthew 13:31).

 “The kingdom of heaven is like…” (Matthew 13:33).

 “The kingdom of heaven is like…” (Matthew 13:44).

 “The kingdom of heaven is like…” (Matthew 13:45).

 “The kingdom of heaven is like…” (Matthew 13:47).

 “The kingdom of heaven can be compared to…” (Matthew 18:23).

 “The kingdom of heaven is like…” (Matthew 20:1).

 “The kingdom of heaven is like…” (Matthew 22:2).

 “The kingdom of heaven will be like…” (Matthew 25:1).

In each of these cases, Jesus continued by telling a parable.

During the week following the triumphal entry (Matthew 21:1-11), Jesus told the Parable of the Wedding Banquet. “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his servants to summon those invited to the banquet” (Matthew 22:2-3).

This is easy to interpret. The king is God. The son is Jesus. The servants are the Old Testament prophets and the New Testament disciples who proclaimed God’s desire that all would come to celebrate the Son’s union with His people.

The Jews refused to see Jesus as the Messiah, for He wasn’t a military leader like David.

They’d heard the invitation extended repeatedly, but most refused to submit to Jesus and commit to His kingdom principles. Many were invited. Few became faithful followers and disciples. Many will spend eternity in hell… few will be ushered into the eternal Kingdom of Heaven.

As Jesus drew the parable to a close, He told of a guest that appeared at the grand banquet, but he wasn’t properly dressed for the affair. This man represents those who are false disciples… “I never knew you. Depart from me” (Matthew 7:23). “Tie him up hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth”(Matthew 22:13).

The consequences of failing to heed His invitation are eternal and unspeakable … the rewards for submitting are beyond imagination.

“… think on these things” (Philippians 4:8, KJV).