In Matthew chapter 22, Jesus tells the parable of a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. When those who had been invited refused to come, he opened the invitation to everyone. It was the custom for the king to provide wedding garments for the guests. It was usually a long white robe. To refuse to accept or wear the gift was an expression of highest contempt toward the king.

When this king went in to see his guests, he found one man not wearing the robe. He questioned the man who had no excuse. He had deliberately rejected the king’s gift. In anger, the king had him cast from the splendor of the feast into the darkness of the street.

One day there will be a heavenly banquet. The king, the Lord God Almighty, wants all to come. He has provided the wedding garment. “He has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness.” (Isaiah 61:10) These garments are far more costly than a long white robe. To refuse them is to insult the Creator of the universe. To wear them, shows grateful respect to God Who offers salvation through His Son. Only those clothed in God’s garments can be present at the banquet.

Let us humbly don the robe of righteousness God has provided as we eagerly await His feast.

DJ Lee

Sermon:  “Why Was Jesus Baptized?” Mark 1:9-13”

Read the full bulletin [here]