Preparation for the Great Supper

In the last week of the ministry of Jesus he used many parables to prepare his disciples for his imminent death. He also taught about his return in glory and the preparation required by disciples for that great day. One of the most distinctive is the parable of the 'Great Supper' or 'Wedding Feast'.

"The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son, and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they were not willing to come. Again, he sent out other servants, saying, 'See, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen, and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding.' But they made light of if and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business. And the rest seized his servants, treated them spitefully and killed them." (Matthew 22:1-6)

The first thing to note is that although it is often called a 'wedding feast', it is probably not, there is no mention of a bride nor of any other celebrations associated with a wedding - it is really a special supper, a betrothal feast with guests invited to the event.

It would appear in this first part of the parable there is a description of the preaching of Jesus and the Apostles which was not being received by the Jewish hearers. Their own concerns had a prior claim on their time - the king's invitation was spurned, the owning and getting of wealth taking precedence. To the insult of refusal was added the offence of ill-treating the servants. The king's invitation was a royal command; refusal was rebellion and therefore, destruction was the only outcome!

"But when the king heard about it, he was furious, and he send out his armies, destroyed those murders, and burned up their city. Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding is ready but those who were invited were not worthy Therefore go into the highways and as many as you find, invite to the wedding. 'So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good. And the wedding hall was filled." (Matthew 22:7-10)

This parable clearly anticipates the punishment of God's people. Both Jerusalem and Israel were destroyed by the Roman armies in CE 67-70 and the population banished to the four corners of the earth. However, the king's plan was not to be thwarted and the servants of the parable and the apostles went forth to preach and to save those who would hear, both good and bad. The guests of the parable represent the Gentiles of all nations, whose only qualification for salvation was and is, a willingness to attend.

"But when the king came into see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. So he said to him, 'Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?' And he was speechless. Then the king said to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, fake him away and cast him into outer darkness, and there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' For many are called but few are chosen." (Matthew 22:11-14)

This last part of the parable is possibly the most difficult to understand. At the banquet, the king picks out one man who is not dressed properly for the occasion. How or why he was so dressed we don't know, all that is important is that he is not acceptable to the king. The meaning of the parable is that this scene probably represents 'Judgement Day' and that although many who have believed the truth, have been baptised and lived acceptable lives before God - will be acceptable to Him, there will be some who will not be acceptable.

It is vital that we know what is required, lest we as individuals, are classed with this unfortunate one, and 'cast out' of the Kingdom in that day!

The man in the parable had presumably thought that his own clothes were acceptable to the king, he was not prepared to discover the royal commands in this matter and be obedient to the king. That is very similar to many people who believe that they can be saved by their own goodness rather than being obedient to the Divine Will. God will only give eternal life, symbolised by 'white robes of righteousness' to those who seek for his help, who obey his commands and who have demonstrated a commitment to him in their lives. If one makes the attempt then there is assistance - the mercy of God.

We need the mercy of God to forgive our sins - we need to plead for that mercy in humility, that we might be provided with 'white robes of righteousness to cover our nakedness'. This is difficult language to understand because it is symbolic language. Let me explain