Matthew 22:14 begs to asks this important question:
For many are called, but few are
chosen.
This scripture is the end of the parable of the King’s
Wedding Banquet from Matthew 22:1 – 14. When you read the story it talks about
the invited guest who all had “better” things to do and did not come. The king
then goes and invites everyone. This is easy to see that the Chosen People were
the original guests who rejected God and did as they pleased. Jesus’ coming
allowed salvation not only to the original chosen, but to all.
The invite is there for ALL!!
As you dig into the story it ends with the king removing one
guest who was not prepared for the wedding. He was not in the proper dress and
therefore did not take the invite serous and this becomes my personal concern!!
The “doctrine” in most churches today is we need to follow
the ABC’s; Accept Jesus as Lord of our life, Believe Jesus is who he said he is
and Confess our sins. But this story shows there may be more, we need to
prepare for the feast. This parable shows a man who accepted the invitation yet
was not allowed to the party. So what did he do wrong?
The only thing we see is he did not wear the right clothes.
Now does that mean only need to wear the right thing, the John 3:16 tee-shirt
or a suit and tie? Or is it more? Is our “resurrection” body going to be our
meat suit or our spirit? If it’s the meat suit then the cloths matter, but if
it’s the spirit then we need to prepare the “inside” AKA the mind or what
people cannot see.
I believe that is the key and since the final commandment is
about the mental aspect to our walk with God. Sure we can live the first 9
without a problem but Jesus highlights the last one most often. The most
obvious is lusting is equal to adultery, it’s not that you are breaking
adultery but the coveting aspect. Now our dress may show to the world we are
following 1-9, but you cannot hide the “mental attitude sins” from God!
So what are you wearing to the banquet?