THE events which the Lord Jesus brings before. His hearers in this parable (Matt. 22) are intimately connected with the parable of the husbandmen which precedes it. There we see the rejection of Christ by the Jews, which takes us up to the cross—the rejected stone to become the head of the corner—and therefore assumes the death, resurrection and ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Now Christ is glorified, and the gospel proclaimed with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven, first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. Everything is now provided by God, for the good and blessing of the creature, in the gospel, but the Jews made light of it. They turned their backs upon God’s gracious provision; yet the very one whom they had crucified and slain, whom God raised from the dead, still lingered over the nation, and would have returned to them again on the ground of their repentance. The same hatred, however, was manifested towards His servants as towards Himself. “The remnant took his servants and entreated them spitefully and slew them,” “and they stoned Stephen, calling upon and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And James the brother of John was killed with the sword. Therefore the disciples that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word, and “the word of God grew and multiplied,” and the Gentiles were reached with the gospel. In Acts 8 one believed and was baptized, but the Lord’s all-seeing eye soon detected the counterfeit (Simon the sorcerer); a figurative man, surely, of one who has not on the wedding garment provided by God. He was not clothed with Christ.
When the King of England holds a levee every person invited appears in the dress authorized by the King. None who understood the invitation would ever think of presuming on the grace of His Majesty by appearing in any other attire, be it ever so costly and well fitted. The one who dared to do so would not only incur His Majesty’s sore displeasure, but would never be invited again. Similarly officers in His Majesty’s service must wear the uniform of their rank on all occasions. When Royalty are present, full dress must be worn. To adopt any other than that authorized would bring shame and punishment to the offender. Likewise our blessed Lord gives this illustration to warn the self-esteemed, proud make-belief, who considers himself good enough for the King’s presence without the wedding garment. With remorse and shame he will be bound hand and foot and cast into outer darkness; there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth.
O unsaved one, how awfully solemn! when you have heard the gospel call so often and refused the many entreaties, the many beseechings, the many loving appeals to come to Christ. Fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, with tears I earnestly implore you to accept Christ, the wedding garment, the One whom God has provided for every sinner that he may be in every way fitted for His holy presence. Could there, think you, be a greater honour than being present at the marriage supper of the Lamb (Rev. 19)? To behold the beauty and glory of Him who shall see of the travail of His soul and shall be satisfied.
May you, through believing, be able to reiterate the breathings of David in the 17th Psalm: “As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake with thy likeness.” Our Lord Jesus Christ will be satisfied with you and you will be satisfied with Him throughout the ages of eternity. Do not delay, but come!
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