I received a question the other day about a parable the Lord taught near the end of His ministry (Matthew 22). The story was about a man hosting a wedding and inviting all his friends to attend. When the big day came, however, no one showed up, causing the host to pivot and invite anyone from off the street. Soon, the banquet hall was bustling with new guests, all happy to have been invited to such a reception. When the host entered and looked over the crowd, he spotted one man who came without putting on proper attire. When he asked the guest about this, the man had no response. As a result, the host ordered the guest thrown out to the pit of despair, where only weeping and the gnashing of teeth could be heard. With the story done, Jesus wrapped it up by saying: “Many are invited but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:14).
The question, simply, is: What is going on here? Why invite a man and then throw him out for not being dressed for the occasion? Isn’t it better to have him there, which is more than can be said for the originally-invited wedding guests (who never bothered to show up)?
Think of it like this: God’s Kingdom was first preached to the Jews, His chosen nation, but they (largely) spurned His invitation and did not come to the banquet. In response, the Lord opened the gates of His Kingdom to Gentiles (the people from off the street). Nevertheless, He has not relaxed the standards He expects to be upheld by citizens of that Kingdom. Just because He sent invitations to “everyone” doesn’t mean “anyone” can enter…or at least, not enter without having to make some changes. That’s represented in the story by the man who came without the proper attire (and had no good excuse for not being properly dressed). The guest chose not to follow the expectations of those who would enter into the Kingdom and thus was expelled from it. Many are called to enjoy the Kingdom, but only those few who intend to change their lives will be chosen to enjoy the bliss that exists therein.
The lesson to learn, I think, is this: Jesus has invited you into His church. He’s also told you what’s expected of you. The freedom of salvation is not, however, a license to do whatever you please. Follow God and live. Don’t follow Him and be cast away.
~Matthew