(Matthew 22:11-14)
The great invitation will go out to many people to come to the marriage feast in the kingdom of heaven. Many will be called but few will be chosen. (Verse 14) There will be a great number who will be called but not everyone will answer the call. I believe that at some point in every person’s life they have the opportunity to come to God. There may be many opportunities, but some will reject the invitation.
In this section of scripture we see a man has come into the wedding feast without a wedding garment. We know that when people attend a wedding they dress appropriate to the occasion. Here we see a man who was not dressed appropriately. The king said to him, “Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?” (Verse 12) The man could not answer but was speechless, and the king had him removed from the wedding feast and cast into the outer darkness.
In like manner no person will enter the kingdom of heaven unless they are dressed appropriately. Unless they have the wedding garment of the kingdom of God they will not be able to enter, and as shown here, even if they could get in they would be cast out.
What are the wedding garments of the kingdom of heaven? The primary wedding garment will be the robe of righteousness. God gives this to man. No man can claim righteousness; it is given as a gift from God. We see the robe of righteousness discussed in several places, especially in Revelation.
Revelation 6:11
“Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer”
Revelation 7:9
“After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no man could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes”
Revelation 7:13-14
“Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and whence have they come?” I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”
And then in the final words of the New Testament we see this also stated, “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and fornicators and murderers and idolaters, and every one who loves and practices falsehood.” (Revelation 22:14-15) This is a perfect description of what the parable is saying. Those who are invited shall need to be appropriately dressed in the right wedding garment. That garment is to be washed and made pure in the blood of Jesus Christ. This is the washing and regeneration from sin to be made perfect in Christ Jesus. Those who do not do so will be cast outside with those who choose to follow evil in all and any of its forms.
Look to Jesus and seek his truth. Be washed in his word. Learn what it means to be washed and made pure in the blood of Jesus for that is the path to salvation. Seek his kingdom and learn his ways and you will be able to stand in his kingdom at the end of the days.
Hi! I’m John, the owner, author, and editor of this site. Over the past 50+ years as a Christian I have been teaching, preaching and writing about the Bible to help Christians gain a deeper insight into the scriptures that are easily understood. I also answer specific Bible related questions, so feel free to contact me.
