Few Are Chosen

This morning I spent some time meditating on Jesus' words at the conclusion of a parable in Matthew 22:14:  "For many are called, but few are chosen."  Consideration of the whole parable was helpful to better understand why Jesus made this the point of emphasis.  I was quite familiar with the passage of Scripture, but after consideration and asking the LORD I feel my understanding of the parable has grown.

In the parable likened to the kingdom of God, Jesus spoke of a king who arranged a marriage for his son and then sent his servants to gather those who were invited to attend.  It was a very attractive proposal, for the king had already slaughtered the oxen and fatlings.  The time for joyous feasting in the presence of royalty had come for all invited!  Strangely, those who were invited made light of the king's invitation and continued in their menial duties, going to work at their farms or businesses rather than feasting at the king's command.  Others who were invited were rude and even violent towards the king's servants, and they killed some of them!  When the report of the evil that befell his servants reached his ears, the king was furious and sent armies to destroy those who murdered his servants and burnt their cities to the ground.

Since those who refused the invitation and command of the king to come to the wedding were unworthy of attending, the king then directed his servants to go and find anyone they could to attend the wedding feast he prepared.  His servants went into the square, street and alleyways and brought with them guests good and bad.  Jesus said in Matthew 22:11-14, "But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. 12 So he said to him, 'Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?' And he was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' 14 For many are called, but few are chosen."  It was customary for kings who hosted a marriage to supply wedding garments for all the guests in addition to catering to all their needs by providing free access to the venue, food, drink and music.  All the guests needed to do was choose to appear and don the provided apparel to enter the festivities.

The king noticed one man who was not wearing a wedding garment.  The king went up to him and asked him how he entered the feast without a wedding garment, and he was speechless and without excuse.  He knew the king had summoned him, a wedding garment was provided, and he refused to put it on--despite being strongly warned of this requirement by the king's servants.  The first group invited who ignored the king's servants and killed them were destroyed for their rebellion and murder, and this man (and others like him) was also shown to be unworthy because he was unwilling to wear the wedding garment provided by the king.  The king commanded he be bound hand and foot, taken away and cast into outer darkness where there was weeping and gnashing of teeth.  Many had been called to the wedding, but only a few of the total amount invited were chosen because they chose to obediently attend and submit to wearing wedding garments provided by the king.

This parable illustrates well the intent of the king to invite everyone to the wedding of his son.  The bad and good alike were permitted entry and made acceptable by wearing the wedding garments he supplied.  A convicted criminal can pass for a fashionable or wealthy man when wearing a quality suit, and anyone and everyone would have been accepted as a guest at the wedding who came wearing the correct attire.  Jesus called everyone who was thirsty to come to Him and drink, to be satisfied with the Living Water of the Holy Spirit by faith in Him.  Jesus is the Door, the only way to the presence of God forever.  It is not God's will that any should perish but all come to repentance.  The invitation to be born again, forgiven and receive eternal life has been extended to all, and those who choose to receive the Gospel of Jesus are the few chosen.  No one need be worried about being left out of God's kingdom, for everyone God has called can be among His chosen if they will receive Jesus the Son of God!

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