Scripture: Matthew 22:1-14
Journal: What does this parable do in you?
Who can you relate to most?
Why? Why the big deal over the
wedding clothes?
Reflection:
“Blessed are those who are invited to the
wedding feast of the Lamb!” the book of Revelation tells us. And an incredible invitation it is! So incredible, in fact, that it is actually
hard to get our minds around it. And not
only have we been invited to this—the party of all parties—but God himself has
even given us clothes to wear. He has
provided us with his very own robes of righteousness (Isaiah 61:10); fine
linen, bright and clean that has been given to us to wear. (Revelation
19:8)
A number of years ago, when
I was working for Young Life, I was in the high school cafeteria with a few of
our Young Life leaders visiting our friends as they ate lunch. We would typically meet there a couple of
times a week and spread out all over the cafeteria, hanging out with kids during
their break. On this particular day I
overheard a commotion a few tables away and looked up to see that one of the
kids who came regularly to our Young Life club on Thursday nights had somehow
managed to dump her entire tray on food into her lap. I don’t really remember what they were having
for lunch that day, but I do remember that it was a total mess. A tray full of food was all over her pants
and she was on the verge of tears.
Quickly her Young Life leader,
in a moment of grace and wisdom, sprang into action. She grabbed her friend and whisked her off to
the restroom as she said, “Quick, let’s go change pants. You take mine and I’ll wear yours.” Which is exactly what they did. Within minutes the teenage girl emerged from
the restroom looking like nothing had ever happened, while her Young Life
leader came out wearing the pants that were completely covered in mess and
grime.
It is exactly what God did
for us in Christ. Maybe that’s why he
gets so upset with the man in the story who refused to wear the wedding clothes
that were provided for him. After all,
those clothes came at an enormous price.
Prayer
Closing
Prayer: I will sing for joy in God, explode in praise
from deep in my soul! He dressed me up in a suit of salvation, he outfitted me
in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom who puts on a tuxedo and a bride a
jeweled tiara. For as the earth bursts with spring wildflowers, and as a garden
cascades with blossoms, so the Master, God, brings righteousness into full
bloom and puts praise on display before the nations. (The Message)
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