Isaiah 25:1-9, Philippians 4:1-9, Matthew 22:1-14
You are saved by grace through faith, and not by your works.
When I was an adolescent our family went to a wedding in Phoenix, Arizona. Phoenix was and is the big city for us. The wedding was downtown at St. Joseph’s, a big Catholic church. After the service they had a huge party. When I went to make a sandwich I leaned over the table and got bright yellow mustard all over my pants. I threw a fit and wanted to go home. My parents helped clean the pants, and told me I should stay. I insisted on leaving. They explained that going home wasn’t an option, but if I chose to leave the party I could wait in the car. So I did. I fell asleep. After the party was over everyone came out laughing and signing. I was told that it was a fabulous party and that I really missed out.
For quite some time when the story was told and became a legend in our family my mother would feel bad. She would say that she felt guilty for not taking me to get new pants. She felt guilty for letting my mope in the care. But as I look back on it, I think she and my dad did the right thing. They taught me a lesson about boundaries. They gave me a choice. I could get over my embarrassment and join the party, or I could be proud and wait alone in the car, in the darkness where there was weeping and gnashing of teeth.
That is the point of the parable of the wedding robe. Jesus said that once upon a time there was a king who threw a party for his son. When the townspeople refuse to attend the King’s banquet for his son, there are consequences. They get to choose what they want to do. Later one of the guests refuses to wear a wedding robe, and they are asked to leave. Once again there are boundaries and consequences. There are boundaries in the kingdom of heaven.
If you’re going to crash a wedding; at least dress up! The guy that gets thrown out of the wedding is so rude that he doesn’t even bother to explain himself to the king. He is silent when the King asks him why he isn’t wearing a wedding robe. He thinks that he doesn’t need one. He thinks that his clothes are good enough. He thinks that his clothes are better than the wedding robes which were provided to all of the guests by the king! This person refuses the generosity of the king. This person would rather trust in their own self, than that of the king.
Works righteousness is the same thing. It’s when you think that you know better than God. It is when you think that if you take matters into your own hands and do them as you see fit, you can do a better job than God. God doesn’t tolerate works-righteousness. The idea that heaven is only for good people is an example of works righteousness.
You are saved by grace through faith and not by your works. This means that being invited to a wedding isn’t really about you or how good you are, how well you are dressed, or anything like that. It is about the people getting married and their generosity in inviting you. So you get dressed up the best you can and enjoy the party. Don’t make it about you. The kingdom of God is the same way.
I was married 13 years ago. My wife surprised me at our wedding with a really good mariachi band. They were dressed in their luxurious mariachi suits, and their instruments shined brightly. Sheri gave me this special gift because she loved me, not because I had earned it. It was grace. God loves you that much and even more! So have faith in God’s grace. Amen.
Leave a Reply