Scripture Reading: Matthew 22:1-14
Christ is soon to be condemned by the rulers and put to death, but as He stands now in the holy city He speaks as the Judge, pronouncing the doom upon the people who are rejecting Him as their Messiah. “The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, who made a marriage for his son.” The marriage feast suggests two great thoughts concerning gospel blessings. The figure of a feast pictures abundance of provision, and also gladness and good fellowship. Then the figure of marriage suggests the closeness of the relation into which God invites us. Marriage represents the highest ideal of love and friendship. It expresses mutual affection and delight; on the one hand, protecting care; on the other, perfect trust. The blending of two lives in one, which is the meaning of true marriage, suggests the union of Christ and His people in thought, purpose, feeling and motive. We are Christ’s, and Christ is ours. Christ and we become one. He lives in us, and we live in Him.
The forms of Oriental life are preserved in the framework of the parable. The king sent forth his servants “to call them that were bidden.” They had already received a preliminary invitation, and now they are formally called by the king’s messengers. The refusal to accept such an honor was a distinct and intentional insult and showed that they were in heart rebellious and disloyal. The meaning of the parable is plain. God was the King who made the feast. The invitation shows the Divine earnestness in seeking to bless men. God does not merely invite them once and then if they refuse, give no more thought to them; but He invites them again, and most urgently presses upon them the invitation.
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