Message Notes

INTERMEDIATE SUNDAY SCHOOL 20 OCTOBER 2024
STUDIES IN THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW
Text: Matthew 22

Topic: The Parable of the Wedding Feast

1And Jesus answered and spoke to them again by parables and said:
2 “The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son,
3 and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they were not willing to come.
4 Again, he sent out other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “See, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding.” ’
5 But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business.
6 And the rest seized his servants, treated them spitefully, and killed them.
7 But when the king heard about it, he was furious. And he sent out his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.
8 Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy.
9 Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding.’
10 So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good. And the wedding hall was filled with guests.
11 “But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment.
12 So he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless.
13 Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
14 “For many are called, but few are chosen.”

Matthew 22:1-14

1. Another Parable of the Kingdom of Heaven

2. Symbolic Significance:

a) The wedding feast of the King’s Son

b) Invitations were given out

c) Excuses made by the Invitees

i) They made light of the king’s invitation

ii) They rejected the royal invitation

iii) Worse, they abused and killed the king’s servants

d) Swift action taken by the king

i) Justice was upheld

ii) The murderers were destroyed with their cities

e) A fresh batch of Invitations

i) New invitees

ii) They came from the highways and byways of life

iii) All guests were given suitable clothing to attend the royal wedding feast

f) One guest had refused to wear the garments provided

i) He was arrested

ii) He was duly punished

iii) He had despised the King and His gift of clothes

LESSONS WE MAY LEARN

1. Gratitude to be given a royal invitation

2. The King’s gift of royal robes must be received and worn

a) We are clothed in white

b) We are clothed in the righteousness of the Lord

3. The joy of salvation

a) This must be real

b) It must not be lost

“For many are called, but few chosen”

Matthew 22:24