#DailyDevotion Don’t Be That Guy
Read Matt 22:1–22
Mat 22:8-14 Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy. (9) Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.’ (10) And those servants went out into the roads and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests. (11) “But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment. (12) And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. (13) Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ (14) For many are called, but few are chosen.”

Initially, this parable is about the Jewish rejection of their messiah, particularly the Jewish leadership. They should have recognized Jesus as their bridegroom from the Old Testament. They were the people initially invited to the wedding feast. But they were not worthy. They did not accept the invitation. They had better things to do.

Then Jesus sent the apostles into the world proclaiming the invitation to the wedding feast of the Lamb of God to all who would listen, men, women, children, of every language, tribe, tongue and race. The invitation is the good news of Jesus Christ. That good news Jesus has won eternal life for every human being. All who hear about this gift and believe it has been given them have it. This good news is Jesus by his death and resurrection has justified the world and through faith in Christ you receive and are clothed with the very righteousness of God.

This is where the end of the parable comes into play. The Father is looking over all the guest that have brought into the wedding feast. All should be clothed in a wedding garment. Supposedly, wedding garments were provided in the mid-east much like jackets and ties are sometimes in finer dining establishments. So to be without one is inexcusable. If you’re not wearing one, you have refused the hospitality of the host. So too, many who hear the gospel think that life after death in a new heavens and new earth sounds like a good idea, but they want to enter into it on their own terms. They don’t want to have to be clothed with Christ righteousness. They think their righteousness is good enough. It is not. They don’t believe the good news of Jesus. So many are called but only those who have faith in the work of Christ are chosen. Don’t be like the guy who could have had a V-8. Such is one of the worst torments of hell, having heard the free gift of salvation and having it placed in their hands and having rejected it.

Lord God, heavenly Father, thank you for bringing us the invitation to the wedding banquet of your Son Jesus Christ. Grant us such faith that appropriates your righteousness that we may be found acceptable when you gather your guests into the banquet halls of heaven. In Jesus’ name. Amen.