“For many are invited, but few are chosen.” Matthew 22:14
This parable explains the invitation from Jesus in the context of a wedding affair. The purpose of the wedding is to unite unbelievers into an eternal relationship with God.
God prepared for the wedding affair before the creation of the world. And, He chose to reveal His plan for salvation through Jesus Christ, His Son.
The King sent servants to those who had been invited to the wedding but they refused to come. They rejected the word of God.
Then he sent more servants to those who had been invited and described to them the sumptuous wedding banquet prepared for this affair. They paid no attention and were consumed by their work and the worries of the world. Many of those invited mistreated or killed the servants.
The king became angry and destroyed all those who killed his servants.
As the date for the wedding approached, the king responded those I have invited do not deserve to come so he told his servants to go out in the streets and invite all to the banquet including the good and the bad. The wedding hall was filled with guests.
The king entered the wedding hall and noticed one man was not properly dressed. He asked the man how did you get in here? The man was speechless and terrified of the king.
The king told his attendants to tie up the man and throw him into darkness to suffer forever.
Finally, the parable ended with the words “Many are invited but few are chosen.”
The invitation from Christ is sent to all without any restrictions.
It is accepted by some, rejected by many, and those who hate God persecute the senders of the invitation.
Many of those who reject the invitation are consumed with the concerns of the world. This is their priority for living.
The invitation from Christ does not discriminate against sinners. Jesus accepts you with all your faults.
The man improperly dressed was an imposter. He was pretending to be someone he was not. This is why he was rejected by God.
The crux of this parable is the words “Many are invited but few are chosen.” God knows your heart. He chooses those who are willing to die to self and live for Christ.
The open ended invitation comes with a command to live for Jesus above all else.
The defining character between the wheat and the chaff is the presence of God. The wheat walk by faith believing in the promises of Christ.
Though they suffer at times they are vigilant in worshipping Christ in Spirit and Truth. They never give up on Christ even when their life seems to be crumbling away.
The people of Christ live by faith not by sight!
Hal Hollister Ministry 