davidbu@tekigm2.men.tek.com (David Buxton) (12/17/89)
Many called but Few chosen
"For many are called, but few are chosen." (Matt. 22:14)
Matthew 22:1-14 is the parable of the wedding feast:
"Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding banquet is ready, but
those I invited did not deserve to come. Go to the street corners and
invite to the banquet anyone you find'" (Matt. 22:8,9)
The parable appears to be an indictment against the invited Jews and an
explanation of why the Gospel must go to the Gentiles.
"Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words."
(Matt. 22:15)
Considering the way the Pharisees reacted to this parable it would appear
that the primary message of this parable has to do with the Jewis nation.
Many (that is Israel) were called but few were fit to be chosen because
they did not wear God's robe of righteousness. They prefered to wear their
own robes of national pride and rebellion.
It was God's design that the Jews were to be a model nation - a nation
thriving on God ordained success - a success that comes from doing things
God's way - so that the peoples of the earth would come to them to learn of
their secret and of salvation. They rejected this plan and so the Gospel
had to go out to the Gentiles more directly, and it did. The people of the
world are no longer invited to come to Israel as a 'model nation'. They
are invited to become 'Spiritual Israelites' = Christians. This is the New
Covenant with anyone who wishes to have God place His laws in their hearts.
(Hebrews 8:10)
"Friend, he asked, how did you get in here without wedding clothes? .
. ." (Matt. 22:12)
Can we say here that it is not enough to be invited and to simply show up.
The white robe of righteousness must be worn. The New Covenant must be
fully partaken of and its simple conditions met. Here we have an example
of someone invited (elected) who did not wear the wedding garment of
righteousness. Many are invited but few are chosen because very few accept
this robe of righteousness. They cannot be one of the 'chosen' if they
refuse to wear the wedding garment. We have here an example of someone who
was 'elected', who glibly accepted the invitation, but who did not wear the
robe of righteousness. It was his choice.
Not everyone wears the wedding garment:
"'Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is
the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But
small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a
few find it." (Matt. 7:13,14) (Also Luke 13:23,24)
As it was in the days of Noah. As it was in the days of Lot.
"And if it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of
the ungodly and the sinner?" (1 Peter 4:18)
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness for they
will be filled." (Matt. 5:6)
The wedding garment is offered to everyone:
". . . . Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let
him take the free gift of the water of life." (Rev. 22:17) (Also
Isa. 55:1 and John 7:37)
"For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who
will have ALL men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the
truth." (1 Tim. 2:3-4)
". . . ., He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but
EVERYONE to come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9)
"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to ALL men."
(Titus 2:11)
Salvation is offered to all who are willing to accept it - which is indeed
less than 'everyone'. Is that double talk?
Imagine that George Bush is coming to town. The adds in the paper say
that there will be a free door prize given to everyone who buys tick-
ets. Oh yes, and the tickets are free, but you have to pick them up
first the week before. There are 'many' people who pick up their
tickets but only a 'few' of them bother to bring them. They think
that because the tickets are free they can show up without them and
still get in and also get the door prize. There were MANY who
accepted the tickets but FEW who get a door prize.
Salvation is for everyone that wants it. There are 'many' who accept God's
free gift so glibly that they really have not accepted it after all - as
the lack of the robe of righteousness bears witness. Perhaps the text is
saying that there will be many who claim to be Christians but few who bear
the fruits of true Christianity.
". . . . for He will save His people FROM their sins". (Matt. 1:21)
The white robe of righteousness is more than white wash - it is genuine
fruit grown from the genuine vine of Jesus Christ. That is the only way by
which we can become changed and be saved. When Jesus knocks at your door
He does not stand there with a bucket of white wash. He stands there with
mop and broom and some powerful detergents; ready to be invited in to
cleanse you from sin. Do invite Him to prepare you for a place in His
kingdom. He can do it.
Dave (David E. Buxton)
davidbu@tekigm2.MEN.TEK.COM