Jesus told a parable about the wedding of an extremely wealthy man. The influence of the groom was known far and wide. But the invited guests did not RSVP. Because the time of the wedding was getting close, the man sent out servants to make personal invitations. The guests made excuses. Some said the work on the farm was too much so that they had no time to spend coming to a feast. Others said they were simply too busy to spend time eating a fancy meal. Still others simply mocked the messengers and some of the more wicked ones actually murdered the messengers (Mt 22:1-10).
The wealthy man, sick of the responses of the original guests told his servants to go into the streets and invite both bad and good people. He also gave to each guest new clothes appropriate for a wedding. At last the banquet hall was filled with guests.
The groom came into the vast room and surveyed his guests. In the middle of the crowd he noticed a man dressed in rags, filthy from head to foot. He headed directly to this unkempt guest. “Where are the wedding garments I supplied you?” he demanded. The guest was silent. What was there to say? What reason could possibly be good enough to explain to this generous host why he had decided to disrespect him in such a rude thankless way? Immediately the man was thrown out of the wedding. (Mt 22:1-11).
Jesus ended the story by saying, “Many are called, but few are chosen.” The invitation has been sent to you. Which guest will you be?
