ESOCS Devotional 31 January 2025 – The Wedding Garment
MEMORY VERSE: “And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment.” Matthew 22:11
TEXT: MATTHEW 22:1-14
And Jesus answered and spoke to them again by parables and said: 2 “The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son, 3 and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they were not willing to come. 4 Again, he sent out other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “See, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding.” ’ 5 But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business. 6 And the rest seized his servants, treated them spitefully, and killed them. 7 But when the king heard about it, he was furious. And he sent out his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. 8 Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. 9 Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding.’ 10 So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good. And the wedding hall was filled with guests.
11 “But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. 12 So he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
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In the parable, Jesus tells of a king who prepares a great marriage feast for his son. None of the first round of invitees is willing to come, and a second group is invited. While everyone who comes is sitting at the tables enjoying the occasion, one man is singled out for attention because he does not have on the right garments: “But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. So, he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless” (Matt. 22:11-12). It doesn’t say he was naked, but he was missing something. He did not have on a wedding garment.
Why is the matter of proper dress at a wedding so important? It’s important because the man was making a statement against what the marriage feast represented. His presence was an intolerable offense. Either he did not take the clothing the king provided for the event or he did not bother to change into something appropriate for this important occasion. Either way, he showed great disrespect to the king, his son, and the other guests. This was quite insulting to the king and provoked his wrath.
Matthew leaves no doubt as to the interpretation: the wedding garment signifies repentance (3:2; 4:17). Just as most of the Jewish leaders were unprepared at Jesus’ first coming (cf. 23:13-33), some professing disciples of Jesus will be unprepared at his second (24:45-51). God the Father calls us to attend the great wedding event, to partake of His Kingdom. Many refuse the invitation, while others accept it, but inappropriately and without due seriousness. Not just religious leaders but all those who profess to be God’s people need to take this parable seriously.
CHALLENGES
- Dearly beloved, permit us ask how prepared are you for this great wedding, hope you don’t want to embarrass yourself like this man. Start your preparation now, time is of essence.
PRAYER POINT
- Almighty and Holy Father, thank you for all you have done to invite me to your feast of joy and love. Thank you for the price Jesus paid to make my inclusion at this great banquet possible.
FURTHER READING: Isaiah 43:16-end; 44:1-end; Matthew 22:15-end
ESOCS Devotional 31 January 2025
