Christian Art | Parables Of Jesus | Parable Of The Marriage Feast / The Wedding Feast
Matthew 22: 1-14 | King James Audio Bible | King James Version KJV | Parables Of Jesus | Parable Of The Marriage Feast | Love Revealed By Jesus Christ
1 AND Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said,
2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,
3 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.
4 Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.
5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:
6 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.
7 But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.
8 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.
9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.
10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.
11 ¶ And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:
12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.
13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
14 For many are called, but few are chosen.
In the parable of the marriage feast, Jesus continues to attack the scribes and the Pharisees, the Jewish authorities, who have found themselves threatened by Jesus and who reject him. It is a bold and dangerous message to those who have established power in the Jewish community. Jesus could hardly be telling them more clearly that they have got it wrong, that they were called, by God, long, long ago, and yet they have rejected God’s invitation, that, for all their trappings of piety, they are not with God; they have rejected Him.
To put this in context, we may ask the question: what actually is it that the Jewish authorities fear about Jesus, dislike about Jesus, hate about Jesus, and so why are they seeking, ultimately, to discredit him and put him to death?
Christ’s message, that he is God the Son, that we are to love him and believe in who he is, is so extremely wrong to those who think that their understanding of the Law, of God, is the correct and only way. It is, in this theological sense, an affront. But it goes deeper than this. For all the theological objections, for all the sense that blasphemy is being committed, we find that the refusal of Jesus by the Jewish religious authorities is rooted in self-interest and self-preservation.
Jesus is obviously a good man, even if the Jews didn’t believe in his divinity. Jesus’ teachings offer a beautiful and radical shake-up of orthodoxy. Jesus’ teachings are all about love, of God, of our neighbour, and about how to love.
But these people are not listening to Jesus with an open mind. Their minds are closed because their mind-set is so much locked into their current worldly position, their status, their financial incentives in maintaining the status quo, such that their spiritual sense has atrophied, becoming occluded, and so the spiritual posturing of the scribes and Pharisees has more in common with the law of the market place than it does with God. These people have made themselves of the world, rather than of God.
Christ’s message, then, is uncompromising. He says to them: You were called to the banquet, to the kingdom of God, and you refused to show. You’ve made your excuses: you were busy on your farm or with your business; you have clung to your attachments to the business of the world, when heaven could have been yours. You’ve gone so far as to kill my messengers, who were the prophets. You have gone out of your way to refuse salvation, so entrenched in you is your refusal of God.
Well, says Jesus, so much for them. If the scribes and the Pharisees, the religious leaders of God’s first chosen people, don’t want to receive what could have been theirs, then we’ll go out there and invite everyone, both good and bad. The humblest sinner can have more than the scribes and the Pharisees. Indeed, he can have everything. The wedding hall will be filled with guests.
Verses 11-14 of this parable seem to be an addition from another saying of Jesus. They may seem not to flow particularly well from the preceding verses. After all, if we take this literally, it may seem a little unfair that a man has been pulled off the street to come to the wedding and is then punished for not wearing the right clothes. Of course, this is not Jesus’ intention.
We can, though, draw an important truth from these last verses of the parable. We are all called to the feast. We can all be God’s children. The Old Law is overwhelmed in the New. We are, though, called to approach the wedding feast in appropriate garments. We are called to live in the ways Jesus wants us to, not with the empty, ritualistic observances of the scribes and Pharisees, but with true, loving faith, our whole lives becoming focused around our relationship with Jesus. Then we shall be living God’s Law in ways which those Jewish elders could not bear to contemplate.
‘Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb.’ Revelation 19: 7-9
The scribes and Pharisees were two groups of religious leaders in ancient Judea, during the time of Jesus. The scribes were scholars who were responsible for copying and interpreting the Hebrew Scriptures (also known as the Old Testament). They were experts in the law and were often consulted on matters of religious practice and doctrine [ … ]
Saint Cyril of Jerusalem, writing in the fourth century, speaks with a clarity and breadth that remains strikingly relevant for the Church today. In this catechetical excerpt, drawn most likely from his Catecheses delivered to those preparing for baptism, Cyril undertakes a profound reflection on what it means for the Church to be both Catholic and the assembly of God’s people. His insight provides not only a robust theological definition, but a spiritually rich vision of what it means to belong to the Church of Christ [ … ]
Gospel Reading: Matthew 11:28-30 ‘Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’ In this passage, Jesus extends an invitation to all who are weary and burdened. Jesus promises rest and relief, urging us to take his yoke and learn from him. Jesus’ gentle and humble heart offers rest for our souls, emphasizing that his yoke is easy and his burden light. This passage is a reminder of the hope we have in Christ, who offers us rest and peace amid our struggles. Prayer Dear Jesus, In times of uncertainty and despair, I turn to you, the source of all hope. Fill my heart with your hope that transcends understanding. Help me to trust in your promises and to find joy and peace in your presence. May your hope renew my spirit and give me the strength to face each day with confidence and faith. Let your hope shine through me, bringing light to others who are in need. Amen. Personal Reflection What are the situations in your life that seem hopeless? How can you invite Jesus’ hope into these areas? Reflect on a time when you experienced renewed hope through your faith in Christ. Meditation On The Prayer And Gospel Matthew 11:28-30 is a passage that speaks directly to our need for hope and rest. Jesus’ invitation to come to him is extended to all who are weary and burdened, offering a refuge from the struggles of life. This invitation is not just a call to physical rest but a deeper spiritual rest that brings peace to our souls. Jesus understands the burdens we carry and offers a yoke that is easy and a burden that is light. The imagery of a yoke suggests partnership and guidance; by taking on his yoke, we align ourselves with him, allowing him to share our burdens and guide our steps. This partnership is marked by learning from Jesus, whose gentle and humble heart sets an example for us. The promise of rest for our souls is comforting. In a world where we often feel overwhelmed and stressed, Jesus assures us that he is our source of true rest and peace. His rest is not temporary or superficial but a peace that sustains us through life’s challenges. This promise gives us hope, knowing that no matter what we face, we can find solace in Jesus. Reflecting on this passage, we are reminded of the importance of surrendering our burdens to Jesus. It requires trust and faith to let go of our anxieties and allow him to take control. This surrender is an act of faith, acknowledging that Jesus is capable and willing to carry our burdens. As we learn to trust him more, we experience the peace and rest he promises. The hope we find in Jesus is transformative. It renews our spirits and gives us the strength to persevere. This hope is not dependent on our circumstances but on the nature of Jesus and his promises. It is a hope that empowers us to face each day with confidence, knowing that we are not alone. As we embrace this hope, we are called to share it with others. The hope we receive from Jesus is not meant to be kept to ourselves but to be a light for others who are struggling. Through words of encouragement, acts of kindness, and simply being present, we can extend Jesus’ invitation of hope and rest to those around us. By living out this hope, we reflect Christ’s love and bring his light into the world. In practical terms, fostering hope involves daily practices that keep us connected to Jesus. Spending time in prayer, reading Scripture, and being part of a faith community help us to stay grounded in our faith and renew our hope. These practices remind us of Jesus’ promises and keep our focus on him rather than on our circumstances. Prayer Lord Jesus, You are the anchor of my hope. In moments of doubt and despair, remind me of your promises. Fill my heart with your joy and peace, and let your hope overflow in my life. Help me to trust in your plans and to find strength in your presence. May your hope shine in me, guiding me through every trial and illuminating the path ahead. Use me as a beacon of your hope, bringing comfort and encouragement to those in need. Thank you for the gift of your eternal hope. Amen. Jeremiah 29:11 ‘For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.’ Blessing May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him. May you overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit, and may His hope guide and sustain you in all things. Amen.
