The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast.

Matthew 22:2

The king in Jesus’ parable had been busy. He planned a feast for his son’s wedding, drew up a guest list, sent invitations, slaughtered livestock, and prepared dinner. When the original invitations were refused, he revised the guest list — twice! Yet when he entered the banquet hall, he ejected a guest for not wearing the proper wedding garment. 

Extreme behavior? Take another look. All actions in the story — planned, drew up, sent, slaughtered, prepared — were done by the king. He himself provided the wedding garment. The guest didn’t accept the garment offered by the king, choosing instead to wear his own. What will you wear to the eternal banquet to which you have been invited? Your clothes of self-righteousness? Jesus has provided a perfect, new garment for you through His death and resurrection.

Eileen Ritter
Byron Center, MI

Clothe me, Lord, in Jesus’ righteousness, won for me on the cross. Amen.

Reflect: Put on the garment of salvation given to you by grace in your Baptism.

Read: Isaiah 61:10-11 and Matthew 22:1-14