I never had the chance to eat the loaded mashed potatoes at my wedding reception.

Not going to lie, I was bummed about that. The food looked SO good, and I was especially pumped about smashing that loaded mash. Nevertheless, we had a feast that night at our wedding, potatoes or no potatoes.

“Um, Blake… That’s an interesting way to start a week of devos,” you may say. And you would be right. But there’s a point to my mashed potatoes story. Today’s parable is about a feast. A wedding feast. And it’s probably one of the wildest parables you’ll ever read.

This wedding feast involves a king and his son, some ornery invitees, cold-blooded murder, the destruction of cities, and a ragtag group of afterthought guests.

Told you it was wild.

Most surprising of all is the end of the story. After all the guests have assembled, the king spots a man without a wedding garment and orders that he be shown the door. Actually, his words are more severe: “Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (v13)

Oof. What a way to end the story. But I don’t think Jesus was out for a simple shock factor when he told this parable. I think there’s something deeper that He wants us to see.

Maybe we should retrace our steps a little. This parable is the third section of a series of rebukes directed toward the Jewish leaders. At this point, Jesus had been teaching in the temple following His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The religious elite, frustrated by Jesus’ popularity, interrupt His teaching and demand that He give one good reason why He has the right to open His mouth on their turf (Matt. 21:23).

Game on.

In response to their antagonism, Jesus breaks into a series of parables that describe how the Kingdom would be taken away from the religious elites and would be given to a people “producing Kingdom fruits” (21:43).

Diving back into the parable, we see that the original invited guests — representing the chief priests and Pharisees — lose their place at the wedding feast.

No potatoes for you.

The king then sends his servants to invite anyone who will come. The servants do just that, and Matthew notes that the newly invited guests are a motley crew, made up of “both bad and good” (22:10). As the people come through the doors, the king sees a man at the feast not wearing a wedding garment. Was this a special kind of tunic made of white, frilled with lace, and had hidden compartments of rice & bird seed to throw at the bride and groom? Eh, probably not.

More likely, a wedding garment was a nice set of clothes used for special occasions, much like we would wear at weddings today. If this is the case, then the guest without a wedding garment was severely underdressed, like a man appearing at a funeral in board shorts and flip-flops. The gesture would be offensive, a sign that the guest is oblivious to the significance of his invitation.

This explains the king’s swift action, and it brings us back to the point of the parable. Jesus had said that the kingdom would be taken away from the Jewish leaders and given to a people producing its fruits. The wedding feast is an open invitation, but there is a dress code. Everyone is welcome at the table, but the table changes us. Or, to keep with the imagery of the parable, it changes our clothes. If it doesn’t, then we aren’t truly guests. We’re wedding crashers, and our lot lies outside of the laughter and light. “Many are called,” says Jesus, “but few are chosen (22:14).

From this parable, I think Jesus wants us to see three things.

First, the gates of the Kingdom are open wide. Salvation is not based on ethnicity, education, income bracket, popularity, ministry position, personality type, athletic ability, or attractiveness. The Kingdom is for anyone, everyone, who will accept the invitation from the King and make their way to the wedding feast.

Second, though the gates of the Kingdom are open wide, the Kingdom still has gates, and we must enter through them. The Kingdom does have conditions. We must bear its fruits. We have a particular kind of clothing to wear to the feast. In the words of Paul, we must put on, “as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility,” and the like (Colossians 3:12). A bitter and unforgiving heart is as much out of line for the Christian as a flip-flopping funeral-goer.

Finally — and we can’t miss this point — the kingdom of God is a feast, and we should act like it. God means to be enjoyed. He is the God of laughter, full bellies, and second helpings (of mashed potatoes, for sure). In His presence, says David, there is fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11).

Do you believe that?

Then come on. There’s a seat with your name on it.

Reflection:

• When you first read this parable, what was your initial reaction? Why do you think Jesus is speaking so powerfully against the religious elite?
• Have you dressed your heart for the wedding feast? What are some areas in your life that you are still flip-flopping to the feast? Ask the Lord to change your heart in those areas.
• Have you accepted your invitation to the feast? If you haven’t, do so today. Step through the doors and meet the King.
• Prayer: Jesus, thank You that the doors to the Kingdom are open wide. You do not discriminate; You welcome all. Help us to live with a feast mentality every single day. Let us rest at Your table and enjoy Your presence. Make our hearts more like Yours, in line with Your Kingdom. In Your name, we pray. Amen.

Family Content

Author: Anna Overstreet

• Jesus often told parables to his listeners and followers. A parable is defined as a simple story that illustrates a lesson. It is always interesting when I come across scriptures where Jesus did this. He didn’t scold, mock, or talk down to them for not understanding His ways. He didn’t use complicated words and phrases that were over their heads. Jesus met them right where they were on their journey in life. It is always a good reminder to me to do the same when God places people in my path who don’t understand Christianity. Parables remind me that it’s okay to be creative in how I relate to others, as long as I tell the truth about the Gospel. Storytelling can be fun and ultimately lead to us sharing the Good News of Christ!
• How can you connect with someone who doesn’t look or think like you this week?
• Think about a time when you needed help understanding the Bible. What real-life stories helped you learn the most about living as Christian?
• How does God want you to show others the way to Heaven this week?
• Prayer: Lord, I’m so grateful You love us. Thank You for the unique ways You always try to pursue our hearts. Thank You for parables that cause us to think deeper about spiritual matters, while also relating to us on a human level. Thank You for being patient with us as we try to process and understand the gospel. Amen.