Jesus thought more than 50 parables. A parable is a short and simple story that teaches a religious or moral lesson. In the Parable of the wedding feast Jesus gives us a glimpse of the Kingdom of God (Matt 22:1-14). The Jews have rejected Him as the King of God’s Kingdom. This rejection is the reason why the Kingdom will be given to other nations that will produce its fruits (Matt 21:43). These nations are the Gentiles, people like me and you. Glory!

THE JEWISH MARRIAGE CULTURE

Christ is the heavenly Bridegroom who died to save His Bride. He rose again from the dead to marry His Bride. To better understand this revelation, we must know something about the Jewish culture of marriage as it was practiced during the time of Jesus on earth. The marriage between a man and a woman had three parts:

The first part was a contract, a covenant between the two families. The father of the Bridegroom or the Bridegroom himself, pays an amount of money to the parents of the Bride. It was a marriage dowry, a pledge that they would be soon married. Spiritually, the dowry is called ‘the sealing with the Holy Spirit’ applied to believers in Christ. This sealing guarantees the soon coming marriage of the Lamb. “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory” (Eph 1:13, 14). Jesus paid this dowry with His Blood on the Cross. This period was called ‘the betrothal’. The man and his future bride still leave separately. But from this moment on, the families consider them as belonging to one another. These days this pledge is called ‘engagement’. It is a serious commitment. When Angel Gabriel came to Mary, Joseph and Mary were in this stage. As Mary was waiting for Joseph to come, the Holy Spirit came on her and she got pregnant with Jesus. This is the wonderful story of the Incarnation. 

The second part of the marriage occurs much letter. The Bridegroom, accompanied by his friends, carrying fire torches in their hands, come to the house of his bride. This usually happens at night, when it is cooler. The Bride is ready, waiting for her Bridegroom. This is described in the Parable of the wise and foolish virgins. To be ready it means to be born again by the Holy Spirit (having oil in her lamp). The virgin who is not ready is foolish. She cannot get married. She has missed the opportunity (Matt 25:1-13). This is the warning of Love!

The third part is the wedding feast proper as described in the wedding of Cana. Jesus was a guest at that wedding. He did a miracle by changing the water into wine. “This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him” (John 2:11). Thru this miracle, the disciples had a glimpse of the glory of Jesus, the heavenly Bridegroom, and they believed in Him. God’s glory and goodness attracts us to Jesus, “who called us by His own glory and goodness” (2Pet 1:3; NIV). Halleluiah!!

LESSONS TAKEN FROM THIS PARABLE:

*The Kingdom of God is a spiritual reality, revealed only to God’s children by the Holy Spirit. God’s Kingdom is the realm, rule, and reign of God, where Jesus Christ is King, advancing on earth, by the power of God’s Word and the Holy Spirit, bringing righteousness, joy, peace, healing, freedom, prosperity, and deliverance, by driving away the forces of darkness. To enter God’s Kingdom, you must be born again!

*The gates of the Kingdom are open wide. The invitation is given to all sinners, the good and the bad, the religious and the unbelievers. Salvation is not based on ethnicity, education, financial status, popularity, ministry position, personality type, or attractiveness. For this reason, we should be very careful not to assume that the people most fit for the kingdom are those who look most like us. No sinner can enter the Kingdom by his own righteousness. “Each gate was of one pearl… and the gates shall not be shut at all…” (Rev 21:21, 25).

*There are conditions to have ‘the visa’ to enter the Kingdom of God. Though the gates of the kingdom are open wide, the Kingdom still has gates, and we must enter through them. The King imposes conditions on us. Unrepentant sinners cannot enter the Kingdom. “But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life” (Rev 21:27). To abide in the Kingdom, we all need to be dressed in ‘a uniform’, a wedding garment freely offered at the door by the servants of the host. This is the garment of the imputed Righteousness of Christ, given by God to the guest who has faith in the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross. In other words, the citizen of the Kingdom is justified by God the Father once the sinner (the guest) has faith in His Son. Justification is by Grace alone and through faith alone, in Christ alone. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Eph 2:8,9). All guests are grateful for the garments provided and humbly submit to the King. None boasts of his own merits to enter the palace. This wedding garment is a compulsory dress code. It shows the unity of the Spirit among all the guests. It is a sign of their humility and honor to King Grace. It is proof that they have entered thru the gate. If a guest goes in through other ways, that guest is not welcomed. He is a thief and a robber (Jn 10:1). He will eventually be exposed, arrested and punished. He will be bound hand and foot and sent to the ‘outer darkness’, an outside prison hell, where there will is weeping and gnashing of teeth, eternal regrets and terrible torments. False teachers go to the ‘blackness of darkness forever’ (2Pet 2:17). Selah!

*Agape Love is the badge of the citizens of the Kingdom. All sins against Love are punished. Judas betrayed His Master, Jesus. He is the best example of such a guest who had no wedding garment. When Jesus was sharing this parable, he was there listening. But he did not repent. We must put on the dress of Love! Malice, envy, sexual lusts and other sins should not be found in us. “Let us conduct ourselves properly and honorably as in the [light of] day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and irresponsibility, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14 But clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for [nor even think about gratifying] the flesh in regard to its improper desires” (Rom 13:13,14; AMP). “Beyond all these things put on and wrap yourselves in [unselfish] love, which is the perfect bond of unity [for everything is bound together in agreement when each one seeks the best for others]” (Col 3:14; AMP).

*At the end of time, there shall be the marriage supper of the Lamb in heaven. God’s Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will marry His Bride, the Church. “Then I heard something like the shout of a vast multitude, and like the boom of many pounding waves, and like the roar of mighty peals of thunder, saying, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, [the Omnipotent, the Ruler of all] reigns. 7 Let us rejoice and shout for joy! Let us give Him glory and honor, for the marriage of the Lamb has come [at last] and His bride (the redeemed) has prepared herself.” 8 She has been permitted to dress in fine linen, dazzling white and clean—for the fine linen signifies the righteous acts of the saints [the ethical conduct, personal integrity, moral courage, and godly character of believers]. 9 Then the angel said to me, “Write, ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.’” And he said to me [further], “These are the true and exact words of God.” (Rev 19:6-9; AMP). The saints of the Old Testament are also redeemed and invited as guests to the wedding of the Lamb!

Finally, please don’t forget that God’s kingdom is a feast!!! The father of the prodigal son killed the fattened calf to celebrate his son! God wants to be enjoyed by us. He is the God of laughter, filled bellies, and second helpings. In His presence there is fullness of joy (Ps 16:11). “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I will say, rejoice!” (Phil 4:4). “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord. Forever!” (Ps 23:5,6). Do you believe that? Then take your wedding garment and come! There is a seat with your name for you at His table! “And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely” (Rev 22:17). Worship the Lord!