God's Feast
Notes
Transcript
Text: “13 Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ 14 For many are called, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:13-14)
At some point you have to wonder if _you’re_ the problem.
I once met a man who had been in something like 17 car accidents. Literally none of them were his fault. His wife, who seemed quite reasonable and rational confirmed that, in every case, the police reports ruled that he was not at fault. That’s impressive on one level. At the same time, if it were me, at some point I would have wondered if I was actually _part_ of the problem, at least. Certainly when the number of accidents reached double digits, I might have been looking into defensive driving classes. Yes, stranger things have happened, but you have to think about the fact that one of the things all 17 of those accidents have in common was you.
Are you having a similar feeling about Jesus’ parables about the Kingdom of Heaven? Matthew loves his parables about the Kingdom. But there’s almost always some “hitch.” And the parables from last week and this week are two good examples. In last Sunday’s parable, the master sent to the tenants in His vineyard, _demanding_ something. Now, the King appears again, but _giving_ something to them, instead. And yet it doesn’t work out any better in the end, does it?
At some point you have to wonder if _you’re_ the problem.
This parable really is, in fact, a very solid picture of where the problem lies. And, unfortunately, this parable is quite an accurate picture of our sinful nature at work.
God has invited you into His Kingdom. And you barely pay attention. You can hardly be pulled away from your life to give Him the time of day. Even while you’re here in worship, where is your mind at? Are your thoughts on the gracious invitation that your King is extending to you even now? Or is it on the chores that are waiting for you at home? On the “important” tasks of your life? How many, “more important” things keep you from coming to church from week to week?
It is the very picture of sin. I’ve mentioned the words of CS Lewis before, but they bear repeating:
We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased. (CS Lewis, “Weight of Glory”)
You have traded your place in the Kingdom for the distractions of this life. You have traded it for one moment of sinful entertainment after the next. The wedding feast is ready, but you are not worthy. Many are called, but few are chosen.
Where do we find consolation in this parable? As always, it is found in the speaker: Jesus Christ.
Even as He spoke the words, He had left His “business” behind— His rightful place of authority, ruling over heaven and earth— and had taken the form of a servant. And, every moment of His life, He dedicated Himself to the Kingdom of Heaven. For the joy the was set before Him, He endured the cross, despising its shame, and is seated at the right hand of God.
He not only paid attention to the invitation, He allowed Himself to be bound hand and foot in order to pay the full price for your rejection of your King with His holy, precious blood and His innocent suffering and death. He was cast into darkness as He hung on the cross— as even the sun hid its face for those 3 hours.
The Kingdom of Heaven should have remained sealed to you, but Worthy is the Lamb to open its seals, for He was slain, and by His blood He ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation! Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing! Amen! (Rev. 5:9, 12).
Many are called, but few are chosen. Repent and believe. Turn away from all the distractions of this world— both the sinful pleasures that try tempt you to trade away your inheritance in the Kingdom and even the good gifts of God that would distract you away from it— and believe that He has chosen you. Even before creation, He knew you by name and chose you. And, on the cross, He carried through with that choosing by ransoming you by His blood. He has chosen you and He has clothed you with the robe of His holiness so that you may celebrate, even now, as part of the Kingdom, as you look forward to the final feast— as you dine on rich food, full of marrow, and drink aged wine, well refined, because He has swallowed up death forever.
There is definitely a theme in these parables of the kingdom. And it doesn’t say anything good about you and me. But, thankfully, it does speak volumes about God and His good purpose toward you. And it reveals that He has chosen you in Jesus Christ.