Wedding Banquet: Many called, few chosen

Jesus’ parable of the wedding banquet (Matt 22:1–14) reveals God’s invitation to His kingdom. Many reject it through indifference or hostility, but grace extends to all, good and bad alike. Yet only those clothed in Christ’s righteousness are truly chosen. Accepting the call isn’t enough; transformation and obedience mark the chosen. Many are called, few are chosen, be ready for the marriage supper of the Lamb.

Introduction

Jesus had just come into the city of Jerusalem; it was the last week of His earthly life before His crucifixion, death, burial and resurrection. It’s what we call the Triumphal Entry. He just entered in; he cleanses the temple. The next day, He's back in the temple, teaching and the Pharisees (the chief priests and the elders of the people) come up to him, asking Him “By what authority are you doing these things? And Jesus silenced them, He always did. They had no response for him. And then Jesus speaks three parables, one right after the other related to the Kingdom of God.

• Parable 1 : The Parable of the Two Sons - Which of the two did the will of his father?”

• Parable 2 : The Parable of the Tenants (Vineyard) - Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits.

• Parable 3 : The Parable of the Wedding Feast/Banquet. Today we will look at the Parable of the Wedding Banquet. Matt 22:1-14

Let’s start with an understanding of the Jewish Weddings: Remember the marriage at Cana. The wedding banquet was one of the most joyous occasions and could last for upto a week. We will look at 3 aspects:- Invitations (3), Responses (3) and Judgment (2).

Matthew 22:1–4 : And again, Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying, 2 “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son, 3 and sent his servants[a] to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come. 4 Again he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “See, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast.”’

INVITATIONS: What is Jesus saying in this parable? So here we have a king. And the king is going to throw a wedding for his son. This day would be unmatched for kingdom. And the people listening to Jesus, would have known that. The king sent his servants to call those who were invited earlier. That sounds a little strange to us. The people in Jesus's day, they didn't have watches, or cell phones, internet. So, what the king would’ve done, he would have said, “On this day, my son will get married.” And he would have sent his servants out to every town telling people: “You're invited, the wedding will be on this day, you're invited, the wedding will be on this day” – a grand occasion: Public announcements: Servants, guards come with scrolls having the kings seal , banners a shofar and proclaim in the streets. These invites are sent out months in advance to give the guests sufficient time to come and be present.

Meanwhile, the king and his servants have been working, preparing everything, and then the day of the wedding comes. Everything is ready: the dinner (wedding feast): mid-day meal start of the festivities. (Other meal is supper). The king is a good king, he really wanted those invited to come and tells his servants, “Go, tell everyone, ‘Now is the time to come.’” And so, his servants go out everywhere. To the people who had already been invited, “Come to the wedding. The wedding feast is ready. Come to the wedding, come!” But no one comes. It would have been unthinkable – an insult to the king. So, the king sends different servants, in his generosity. Only this time he gives them details: “Go tell them, I have prepared my dinner. MENU: BEST →My oxen, my fat calves, they’ve been slaughtered, everything is ready. Just come to the wedding feast!”

What is Jesus teaching the people through this parable so far?

• Who is the king? The king is God, the Father.

• Who is the king’s son? Jesus Christ.

• What is the wedding feast? The long-promised kingdom of God – kingdom of heaven. For centuries, prophet after prophet talked about it : the coming Messiah : a descendant of David, the Son of God. And when He came come, he would reverse the curse , death & sin. He would reverse it all. He would set up His kingdom and rule from Jerusalem. He would rule the world with righteousness and love. Yeshua.

• Who are the guests invited? First set represent Israel & it’s leaders who rejected the Messiah. Jews were looking forward to ‘restored kingdom’ for so long. They had been ruled and oppressed by other nations , taken into captivity : the Babylonians, the Persians, the Greeks, and the Romans.

• Audience listening: chief priests, leaders of people (Pharisees), people who wanted to kill Jesus. One question was top of their mind ‘When will you restore the kingdom to Israel? When is the kingdom of God coming?’. They heard Jesus say “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

V5–10 : But they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, 6 while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them. 7 The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. 8 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.

Responses: They do not come. How often does one get invited for a royal wedding personally by the Kings household? This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for these people. The point is they chose not to respond favourably – No valid reasons. Let’s look at 2 groups based on their responses.

1. The indifferent: They paid no attention, went off to their farm, their business - everyday life. What we often call “the rat race/ mundane,” was more important to them than honouring the king and honouring His son. They had no love for the king, his son. And they certainly did not fear the king. How tragic, and how indicative of human nature, to be offered the blessings of God and to refuse them because of the draw of mundane things!

2. The hostile: They seize the king’s servants, treat them shamefully, insult, humiliate and kill them. They despised the king, his son, the wedding and his reign over them.” What did Jesus want the people to get with this? He's looking right at the Pharisees. “This is you. You are the hostile, you want me dead.” Israel held the invitation to the kingdom, but when the time actually came for the kingdom to appear (Matt 3:1), they refused to believe it. Many prophets, including John the Baptist, had been murdered and so would be the apostles and other followers/ministers of Christ. (Dan 9:6 : We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes and our ancestors, and to all the people of the land.)

So far we have seen the invitations go out and the responses. Now the Judgement & Grace. Some time has passed between these events.

Judgement: v7- The king was angry and sent His armies to destroy those murderers and burn their city, “Go kill them, end their life and any sign of their existence for they have murdered my servants. And those others who were too busy to honour my son, who went to their farms and their businesses – those things are more important, go burn their cities.” They miscalculated the king’s anger , the king’s love for his son and how his wrath would flare up and consume anyone who dishonours him. Even the kings (God’s) patience has a limit. He is just and loving.

So, what was Jesus foretelling here? He was literally telling the nation of Israel, “This is what's going to happen to you because you have rejected me.” Just like in history past, God sent the Assyrians, the Babylonians, then the Medes & Persians, the Greeks to discipline His people. Now He would send Rome. Just like the siege by Nebuchadnezzar that led to the destruction of the First Temple , the siege of Jerusalem in AD 70 by Titus Flavius destroyed the second temple and the city by fire.

GRACE: v8-10 The king says, “The wedding feast is ready.” There's going to be a wedding here today. Man's plans & enemy’s schemes will never thwart God's plans! There will be people in here. So, he tells his servants, “Go!” The last group invited were not worthy of this honour. We’ll go get more. No people, no problem! He says, “Go out to the main roads, cross ways beyond the city bounds in the country, tell everyone to come: invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.” They were to exercise no judgment, no discernment. The young, the old, men, women, servants, masters, rich, poor, invite them all - utterly undeserving of the invitation. I want the good and the bad, the overlooked, broken, the lost, the outsiders. That’s most of us, by the way. The honest, the dishonest, the upright, the despicable. The pure, the prostitute, the sober, the drunk – anyone, any nation. There is plenty of place and food available at this wedding feast.

WISDOM NUGGET: You don’t come to God’s feast and prepare your own meal. He has made it ready for you; you come to receive & eat.

This reminds us of the great commission: You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem & in all Judea & Samaria, and to the end of the earth. (Acts 1:8) Jew & Gentile: one new man in Christ. The guests gathered from the highways represent sinners, Gentiles and all who respond to God's invitation not just chosen few.

How interesting? The bad. “Well, wait a minute, we just read the last group was unworthy? And you want the bad? What makes a man worthy in the king’s eyes? He accepts the invitation of the king. Entrance into God's kingdom is not based on human merit. The invitation is offered freely by grace.

V11-14 : 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.”

The servants did as they were told, that wedding hall was filled. And it says, “the king came in to look at [his] guests and sees one person in there without a wedding garment.” Well, we know they invited everybody: the rich, the poor, the servants, the masters, the young, the old. There's no way everyone had a wedding garment on hand. The king was providing them. So, part of accepting the invitation is when you get there, you take off your garments and put on the wedding garment and then come in.

What is the wedding garment?

The garment symbolizes the righteousness/salvation that GOD provides, not righteousness that man produces. Throughout Scripture, clothing is often used as a symbol of spiritual condition. This wedding dress has three parts (Isa.61:3 &10) which need to be acquired now while we live on this earth. (Spirit, Soul, Body). Just as the king provided wedding garments for his guests, God provides salvation for mankind through Jesus.

Isa 61:10 - I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

1. Garment of praise (v3) : attire for our spirit which is nothing but fruits of our lips which is equivalent to fragrant incense offered to God. We will not be speechless when we come before our God with this garment on us. Coupled with the oil of gladness and a beautiful headdress instead of ashes.

2. Garment of salvation (v10) : attire for our soul given to us by God's grace through our faith when we are born again in Jesus.

3. Robe of righteousness(v10) : attire for our body signifying a life of righteous deeds lived on the earth. It is the righteousness of Jesus Christ that we need to stand before God. Be clothed with Power: be clothed with the Holy Spirit & transformed heart inside out to obedience outside.

But there was a man there with no wedding garment. The striking thing is that he accepted the invitation but rejected the garment & the transformation. (Ex of Army & clothes) He was not there to honour the king or his son. His proud attitude ‘my garments are sufficient for the king's wedding. I don't need that one’s provided.’ He had no excuse. He simply refused it. That's why he was speechless. The man wanted the feast without the king's terms. He wanted the celebration without submission, the kingdom of God without repentance and salvation without righteousness of God. He represents those who associate with God's people externally but have never truly received God's provision for their sin. Like the Pharisees, he trusted in his own righteousness – filthy rags. "For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness."(Rom 10:3). White washed tombs : Matt 23:27-28

Outcome: The king said, “Friend…” It was thus that Christ addressed Judas in the garden (Matt 26:50). Then he calls his attendants to bind him so that’s so he can never come back. “Cast him into the outer darkness (absence of God’s cheering presence & light / joy - place of anguish, heartache, grief, and unspeakable suffering) where there's weeping and gnashing of teeth.” The man thought he was free in his decision. He would never be free again - BOUND. Such will be the lot of all who reject God’s offer of salvation through Jesus. At God’s judgment no one will be able to justify himself. Every excuse will disappear. The only valid answer before GOD is not: "I was religious," "I tried my best," or "I was better than others." The only hope is: "CHRIST is my righteousness & I have put on Christ.”

This was Jesus’ way of teaching the inadequacy of self-righteousness. From the very beginning, God has provided a “covering” for our sin. To insist on covering ourselves is to be clad in “filthy rags” (Isa64:6). Adam and Eve tried to cover their shame in the garden of Eden, with clothes made of fig leaves: God replaced them with skins of (sacrificed) animals. In Rev 7:9, we see those in heaven wearing “white robes”, whiteness of the robes is due to their being washed in the blood of the Lamb (v14). Trust in God’s righteousness, not our own (Phil 3:9). & be clothed in Christ’s righteousness, be transformed inside out.

Many are called, but few are chosen: Many received the invite into the kingdom of God (many are called) but refused to subscribe to transformed living and obedience (few are chosen). The gate is narrow (Jesus is the door , way, truth , life & path), the broad gate leads to destruction: choose wisely, it impacts eternity. If you hear His call, come to Him on His terms. Jesus says, “Come to me. Repent, Let me grant you the forgiveness you need. Everything is ready – Enter my kingdom.” Let us examine ourselves today and ask whether we are among the chosen. PLUMBLINE : Does my life show that I am loyal to the God my King and His covenant , is my life evidenced by heart change (transformation - a new creation in Christ) and outward lifestyle (obedience) : a holy separation. Let us surrender & dedicate ourselves to the Lord. Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.

Take-aways:

1. Accepting the Invitation Isn’t Enough : Jesus calls everyone, but not everyone is willing to put on Christ’s righteousness. True faith is surrendering our own self-righteousness and fully trusting in Jesus. We need to clothe ourselves with Christ AND make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts. God’s kingdom requires a changed (NEW) (Rom 13:14) Soft Heart instead of a stony.

   Action: We can’t do it alone - Ask Holy Spirit to search & transform your heart and power to overcome the lusts of the flesh.

2. God’s garments need to be worn at all times – I cannot take it off and put something else on. We might not say it out loud, but sometimes we act as if we’re trying to earn God’s approval—as if we need to prove we belong at the feast. Pray in the moment.

   Action: Set aside 10 minutes daily to ask the Holy Spirit to show you areas in life where you put on and put off His ‘clothes’ as per your convenience and turn your focus back to Him.

3. Often our ‘white clothes’ get dirty and stained. To wash it take time to ask for forgiveness & cleanse your clothes. In Zech 3, the high priest Joshua stands before God clothed in filthy garments. God removes them and gives him clean garments. This is a beautiful picture of justification. Remember That Only God Can Fix This.

   Action: Ask the Lord to cleanse your daily and be ready to receive His pardon, reprimand, correction. It is for our good.

4. Wedding is truly even still ready for the guests who are willing to come. Action: Ask God to open your eyes to see the way He sees and pray for the saving of many people, destiny of nations – sons even the ones who seem the most unfit. We were also misfits once .

Conclusion:

• Quote from JC Ryle - first Anglican bishop of Liverpool and Christian theologian. “The Father is ready to love and receive. The Son is ready to pardon and cleanse away guilt. The Spirit is ready to sanctify and renew. The angels are ready to rejoice over the sinner. Grace is ready to assist him. The Bible is ready to instruct him. Kingdom of God (Heaven) is ready to be his everlasting home. One thing remains. The sinner must be ready and willing to come.”

• No one enters God’s kingdom clothed in self-righteousness. We must be clothed with CHRIST. The question is not merely: "Have I accepted the invitation? " But also: "Am I clothed in the righteousness that God provides through His Son Yeshua? What’s my heart posture?

Background

Kainos Church India, Bengaluru led by Ps. Manoj and Lincy Iype is a gathering open to all believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Church is ideally located for believers in the Koramangala, HSR Layout, Agara, Sarjapur Road, Bellandur areas of Bengaluru and our Church Service in English starts at 10am on Sundays.

These notes are from the Sunday Sermon held on 28th June 2026