A VERSE AT A TIME

TOPIC: APPROPRIATE WEDDING GARMENT

TEXT: Matthew 22:1-14

KEY VERSE: And he said, Friend, how did you come in here without putting on the [appropriate] wedding garment? And he was speechless (muzzled, gagged). Matthew 22:12(AMPC)

In the beginning, being able to enter the presence of the King always came with certain requirements. Although God loves spending time with people, not everyone deserves to be in His presence. When Adam chose to disobey, he lost the covering given to him and the privilege of being in the King’s presence.

In the wilderness, God decided to come down to fellowship with his people, and every time that happened, they had to prepare themselves and wash their clothes and still only a few could come close to the Lord. (Exodus 19:10-25)

In the New Testament, Jesus taught a powerful principle through a parable about the importance of being prepared to meet God. The story highlights that specific requirements must be met while God welcomes everyone to come into His presence. Although God has made everything available for us to enjoy, we must dress appropriately to be in His presence. 

The parable tells the story of a wedding banquet where one guest was not wearing the appropriate attire and was thrown out into the darkness. Jesus used this story to illustrate that while many people are called to follow God, only a few are chosen. This means we must be prepared and meet the requirements to be chosen and accepted into God’s kingdom.

The King did not pity the wedding guest who was ignorant or careless. Instead, he was bound and cast out into darkness. Jesus once said that many are called, but few are chosen. What does that mean to you? During this time of reflection, take a closer look at yourself to see if you are properly dressed in the presence of the one you have to deal with. What is the wedding garment? It is the robe of righteousness.

I will rejoice greatly in the Lord, My soul will exult in my God; For He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has covered me with a robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom puts on a turban, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. Isaiah 61:10(AMPC)

Come to your senses! Live righteously and stop sinning! There are some people who lack knowledge of God — I say this to your shame. 1 Corinthians 15:34(CJB)

We are called out of darkness into God’s marvellous light, and our lives of sin in the past are taken away, but we have a responsibility to live right if we desire to remain in God’s presence. In his letter to the believers, Apostle Paul shows us what we must put off and should put on. 

But now rid yourselves [completely] of all these things: anger, rage, malice, slander, and obscene (abusive, filthy, vulgar) language from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, for you have stripped off the old self with its evil practices, Colosians 3:8-9(AMP)

And put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God’s image, [Godlike] in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:24(AMP)

Clothe yourselves therefore, as God’s own chosen ones (His own picked representatives), [who are] purified and holy and well-beloved [by God Himself, by putting on behavior marked by] tenderhearted pity and mercy, kind feeling, a lowly opinion of yourselves, gentle ways, [and] patience [which is tireless and long-suffering, and has the power to endure whatever comes, with good temper].Colossians 3:12(AMP)

God remains constant and unchanging throughout time, and he will never tolerate sin in his kingdom. Therefore, let us dress ourselves in the appropriate garments and prepare for a triumphant year as we prepare for the marriage feast of the Lamb.

Prayer

1. Heavenly Father, I worship you for who you are, a righteous God.

2. Father, I repent of any inappropriate way I have lived in the past that did not reflect my readiness to be in your presence; forgive me.

3. Today, I put off wrong mindsets, attitudes and behaviour that is unbecoming of a child of the kingdom.

4. Father, Open my eyes to see any ways I am ignorant of your will. 

5. I ask for grace to put on the Lord Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit.

6. Help me live in the consciousness of pleasing the King every day. 

Photo by Al Elmes on Unsplash