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DINNER'S READY AND SO ARE THE WEDDING GARMENTS !
October 9, 2005 Lutheran Church of the Redeemer
The Text: Matthew 22:1-14, especially verse 4. "Again, he sent out other servants, saying, 'Tell those who were
invited: See,I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding.
In the Name of Jesus, Who is the Christ, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, my dear fellow-redeemed,
If you have ever been to: Disneyland in Anaheim, California, or to Disneyworld in Orlando, Florida, you may recall
seeing the sign posted at the entrance. It reads: "Disneyworld, the happiest place on earth." And indeed we felt
that way some years back when we visited there. You mingle with thousands of people, the most of whom were indeed very happy.
Millions of people have over the years traveled from around the world to get there, to find and feel and be part of the "happiest
place on earth."
But have you ever gone to a party where almost no one showed up? Can you remember the anguish of the host? Or did
you ever arrange a date or meeting with someone only to be stood up? Can you recall your feelings? Do you remember the disappointment,
the frustration and maybe a little anger or sadness that you felt in such moments? Do you remember asking yourself, "Why
didn't they come? Was it me, or was it them?"
The parable today is about a wedding reception thrown by the king for his son. Many preparations had gone into the
wedding. Guest lists were made up. Invitations were sent out, and the sumptuous banquet prepared. As was the custom of that
day, in addition to the advance invitations, the servants of the king were dispatched to the homes of the invited to inform
them that everything was now ready. Just come to the wedding feast!
But strange as it may sound, many of them flat out said they would not attend. Again, he sent out other servants
with the same announcement that the preparations were all completed. It's time to come to the reception.
All sorts of excuses came out: "I have bought a farm, I need to go look at the property; I bought a new team
of work-horses, I have to go try them out; I just got married myself, and we're leaving on our honeymoon." Some even
went so far as to rough up the messengers, even killing some of them.
After destroying these ungrateful people and their city, the king sent out more servants to find as many folks as
they could in order that the reception hall would be filled with guests. They went out and brought in everyone they could
find, both the good and the bad. They called in both the people who were delighted to receive the invitation and honored
to be a guest of the king, and those who looked upon this as a chance for a free meal.
You've probably been to restaurants already where a jacket is required of the men. If you don't have one, a house
jacket is provided so that you sort of "fit in."
It was a little like that in Jesus' day, for you see a wedding garment was provided for all the guests so that the tables
would be filled with elegant looking guests.
Along with the rejoicing guests, there were the
freeloaders who sneaked in there and brazenly sat with their old street clothes on. So it is to one of these that the king
addressed the words of this parable, "How did you come in here without a wedding garment?" And to the servants
he said, "Take him, tie him up, and throw him out."
My fellow-redeemed, this parable is about the great lengths to which God has gone for you and me to prepare forgiveness
of sins; a wedding garment, and a place at the great heavenly feast. In the far reaches of eternity, God planned our salvation.
With ever clearer words, He announced the coming of the day when He would bring that salvation to pass. And when the fullness
of time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the Law, to redeem us who were under the Law. More
than oxen were killed. God had His own Son killed on the cross, placing on Him the iniquities of us all. He has fashioned
a wedding garment for every one of us, not with silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, and His innocent suffering
and death. "Come!! Come, be one with Me again." Our Heavenly Father calls,"the banquet hall is lighted!"
When our worship service is going on in this place, I don't see 60 watt, flame shaped bulbs burning, but heaven's
own chandeliers, glowing with God's gracious preparation. And here, not a simple altar with kneeling rails, but a sumptuous
banquet table spread with heaven's own delicacies prepared for God's own people.
I do not see a room filled with people dressed in everything from Calvin Klein to Brooks Brothers but baptized people
who have been given the white robe of Christ's righteousness. And somehow the feeble efforts of our song are transformed
into the sounds of the heavenly choirs bringing blessing and honor, glory and power, be unto the Lamb sitting upon the throne,
Who was slain for our eternal salvation.
And yet, there are so many excuses that are given for not attending a worship service on a Sunday morning. "I
have other things to do that are more important."
"I just don't feel up to it today" is another excuse. If some people attended their every day job the same
way they attend Sunday worship, many of them would lose their job. Or maybe there is a minor miff or tiff with the pastor
or one of the members of the church, and all of a sudden, God, who is the center of worship, fades out of the picture.
And sometimes people are flat angry with God, and like a spoiled child, shake the fist at Him and say, "If
that's the way You're going to let things happen in my life who needs You?" And we don't see how foolish we look shaking
the fist as one of the billions of people riding on a planet that is only a speck in our galaxy, and our galaxy, but one of
thousands of galaxies; yet standing there as Mr. or Mrs. Important, shaking the fist at the One Who is above all these things.
All He has in one hand is the breath we breathe, the food we eat, the comforts we enjoy, and in the other the cross
of His Son splattered with the blood of sacrifice that is powerful to cleanse our every sin. And echoing from His Book, the
Bible, are the precious words directed right at you; "I love you, I love you, I love you. The reception is ready, Come!
Come all of you that My banquet hall might be filled!"
Don't come in proud, wearing the clothes of your workaday life. A garment is provided...the robe of righteousness
of the Son of God! And don't hang around the doorway afraid to come in because the clothing of your life is too soiled and
sordid to be seen in. The garment is provided.
The robe of Righteousness of the Son of God. What a privilege to be beckoned to the banquet of the King of the
Universe. Know for sure that your name is on the guest list.
I once read a fictitious story that goes like this: A man dies and goes to heaven. St. Peter meets him at the pearly
gates and says, "Here are how things work. You need 100 points to make it into heaven. Give me the right answers to
certain questions, and I give a certain number of points for each depending on how good it is. When you get 100 points, you
get in. First...tell me what good things you have done in your life. He answered, "Well, I was married to the same woman
for 50 years and was faithful to her, even in my heart." Peter said, "That's wonderful, and worth 3 points."
"Three points? That's all? Well, besides, I went to church all my life, I gave the tithe and served on the Council
10 years." Peter responded,"That's wonderful Service for the church...2 points."
The man shouted out, "2 points??? At this rate the only way I'll get into Heaven is through the grace of God!"
Peter:"BINGO! That's 100 points. Come on in!"
Yes, my fellow redeemed...the wedding reception is ready, and so are the wedding garments...so come on in!!
Amen.
REV. ERNST R. PFLUG
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