- Matthew 21
Recap. The Pharisees and others throughout history have wanted
people to believe that they were acting for their good while trying to achieve
their own agenda; more often than not, an agenda that would place them above
all others, an agenda that actually sought out wealth and power while the
people they governed came in a distant second. John 11:45-53 is a most revealing passage pertaining to true
concern of the Pharisees. It concerns the plot by the Pharisees to murder Jesus
because of His popularity. Note verse forty-eight; note their primary
concern; that the Romans would take away “their place.” For these type people,
both then and now, murder is preferable to losing “their place.”
Resume. The city of both types’ people is destroyed. This speaks
to the destruction of Jerusalem and the dispersion of the Jewish nation in A.D.
70 and to the destruction of the cities of the world mentioned in the book of
Revelation. God is long-suffering and patient, but He will not tolerate
wickedness forever. His judgment is well-earned by mankind, and it will come to
those who have ignored His offer of salvation. Considering what that salvation
cost Jesus, is not this judgment well deserved (see Hebrews 10:29-31)?
The invitation is then taken and given to everyone at the
crossroads, to strangers both good and bad. This refers to the gospel being
taken to the Gentiles. The Gospel message is available to everyone. This
message was certainly not lost to the Jews, who considered Gentiles beneath
their contempt (see Romans 9:30-33).
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ow, when the king enters the wedding feast, he sees a man
without a wedding garment. This would be a gross insult to the king.
Considering the fact that no one invited from the street corners would have
been expected to have had a wedding garment with them, it is evident that the
king himself provided the garments for the guests. To refuse to put this
garment on is insulting to the one who provided it.
This insult of refusing proper attire for the wedding
feast would have been obvious to the Pharisees to whom Jesus was speaking, but
this also refers to apostate Christianity. It speaks to those who are
Christians in name only. To those who are depending on their own works, their
own self-righteousness, to make them acceptable before God. This will not work
(see Ephesians 2:8-10). Just as the king provides the wedding garments for the
guest, it is God who provides salvation for mankind.
To refuse this salvation
is insulting to God because in this refusal you are treading on the very blood
of His Son, Jesus Christ. When you strip away everything from all the religions
of the world, except for its basic tenant of faith, you with either find man
working his way towards God, or the cross of Christ. The cross is the only way
to salvation. Our wedding garment is Jesus Christ Himself, and unless we put
Him on, we will miss the wedding feast. ....to be continued
Playwright Janet Irene Thomas
Founder/CEO
Bible Stories Theatre of
Fine & Performing Arts
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