The Wedding Feast #153

The wedding feast parable seems straightforward, but a little harsh. Jesus said that heaven is like a king (God) who prepared a wedding banquet (heaven) for his son (Jesus) and sent servants (prophets) to the people but they (those who rejected Jesus and prophets) refused to come. The king did this again, but the servants (prophets) were maltreated. The king was enraged and sent his army to destroy them all. [Seems harsh to me]

Then the king told the servants (prophets)  to invite everyone (both good and bad) they could find which filled the wedding hall. The king saw the guests, but noticed one man was there without wedding clothes. The king asked how he got in but the man was speechless. The king told the servants to tie him up and throw him outside where “there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Then the king as a way of explanation said, “For many are invited, but few are chosen.”

The later guests symbolize that heaven is open to all. However, if the wedding attire symbolizes repentance and righteousness, then having those qualities may be necessary for admittance. But it also sounds like a dress code issue. 

Likewise, the ending seems to mean that of the many (those invited to the wedding banquet/heaven) only some will get in. So why were they invited anyway? 

I’m troubled by the severe consequences for what seem like minor infractions. Isn’t being denied heaven enough punishment? Does there also have to be “weeping and gnashing of teeth?” Those questions are okay, but the main one should be asked of us: “What should we do to help the man without wedding garments be allowed entrance to the banquet?”

Matthew 22: 1-14