Marriage in biblical times included a marriage feast. Weddings had several important components: 1) a contract was made 2) a year later the groom went to the bride’s family home and the bride was presented to him 3) then a nighttime procession was made from the bride’s home to the groom’s home 4) a large banquet was held at his house—lasting up to a week depending on finances
Marriage in Jesus’ Day: 1) Contract 2) Presentation 3) Procession 4) Banquet
In this story, two invitations were extended: a “save the date” type of invitation and a second invitation that called the people in to the banquet immediately.
Matthew 22:1-14 And again Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying, 2 "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son, 3 and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come. 4 Again he sent other servants, saying, 'Tell those who are invited, See, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast.' 5 But they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, 6 while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them. 7 The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. 8 Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy. 9 Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.' 10 And those servants went out into the roads and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests. 11 "But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment. 12 And he said to him, 'Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?' And he was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the attendants, 'Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' 14 For many are called, but few are chosen."
1. You are invited to experience a banquet of eternal joy with Jesus Christ, the King of Kings.
1 John 1:3 That which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.
2. Do not let the demands of life distract you from Jesus Christ’s invitation to the banquet.
Philippians 3:8-10 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.
3. When we miss the feast, we miss the opportunity to fellowship with Jesus.
Revelation 19:5-9 And from the throne came a voice saying, "Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, small and great." 6 Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, "Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. 7 Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; 8 it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure"— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. 9 And the angel said to me, "Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb." And he said to me, "These are the true words of God."
4. Jesus has extended an invitation of grace to all who live on the highways and side-roads of life. He, the Hospitable King, has offered to gather us around His table.
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
Ezekiel 33:11 Say to them, As I live, declares the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel?
Isaiah 55:1 "Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
5. We must prepare ourselves by wearing our wedding garments to the feast.
Ephesians 5:25-27 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.
This is a call for God’s people to worship as God destroys Babylon. The victory of the Lord is celebrated with “the marriage of the Lamb.” This is the union of Jesus with His people. At some point after Jesus comes for His Church, we will be the Bride and honored guests at a great feast!
This great meal is a celebration of all that God has done. The theme of the event is “the Lord our God the Almighty reigns.”
The Devil will plot and scheme and his forces will fight, but God is on the throne walking among the lampstands.
We, the Church, were made to be the Bride of Christ. This is the essence of eternal life.
“His Bride had made herself ready.” How did this happen? We have done so by putting on the bridal clothes. These garments were given by the grace of Jesus Christ.
