First Invitation Is Refused

Matthew 22:3 - And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.

David Guzik commentary:

1. (1-3) The first invitation is refused.

And Jesus answered and spoke to them again by parables and said: "The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son, and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they were not willing to come."

a. They were not willing to come: It seems strange that those invited refused an invitation to a royal wedding; but there is no logical reason why people refuse the good things God invites us to.

"There is no logical reason why people refuse the good things God invites us to."

Wow! That is a great point to consider!

Can you think of several excuses why people may not accept an invitation to a royal wedding? I can think of some.

"I'm too busy."

"I don't want to pay the price (or cost) for a gift."

"I don't know them well enough."

"I don't even like them!!"

"I don't have anyone to drag along with me."

"I want to do something else that day."

"I already have plans."

I don't have the right garment to wear!

But wait...could there be some "inner conflicting" reasons why such an invitation, as it pertains to Christ, might be refused?

"I'm not worthy?"

"I'm unwilling to face what this invitation truly means?"

"I'm against those kind of people and don't want to mingle with them?"

"I know, deep down, that I am a sinner in need of a Savior but refuse to admit it?"

"I know that Christ wants to provide me with the "right garment to wear," but I refuse and am unwilling to wear it!!"

How sad and pathetic such excuses are in light of what they will be missing!

Matthew Henry commentary:

2. Here is a dinner prepared for this marriage, v. 4. All the privileges of church-membership, and all the blessings of the new covenant, pardon of sin, the favour of God, peace of conscience, the promises of the gospel, and all the riches contained in them, access to the throne of grace, the comforts of the Spirit, and a well-grounded hope of eternal life. These are the preparations for this feast, a heaven upon earth now, and a heaven in heaven shortly. God has prepared it in his counsel, in his covenant. It is a dinner, denoting present privileges in the midst of our day, beside the supper at night in glory. [bold- mine]

(1.) It is a feast. Gospel preparations were prophesied of as a feast (Isa. 25:6), a feast of fat things, and were typified by the many festivals of the ceremonial law (1 Co. 5:8); Let us keep the feast. A feast is a good day (Esth. 7:17); so is the gospel; it is a continual feast. Oxen and fatlings are killed for this feast; no niceties, but substantial food; enough, and enough of the best. The day of a feast is a day of slaughter, or sacrifice, Jam. 5:5. Gospel preparations are all founded in the death of Christ, his sacrifice of himself. A feast was made for love, it is a reconciliation feast, a token of God’s goodwill toward men. It was made for laughter (Eccl. 10:19), it is a rejoicing feast. It was made for fulness; the design of the gospel was to fill every hungry soul with good things. It was made for fellowship, to maintain an intercourse between heaven and earth. We are sent for to the banquet of wine, that we may tell what is our petition, and what is our request. [bold- mine]

(2.) It is a wedding feast. Wedding feasts are usually rich, free, and joyful. The first miracle Christ wrought, was, to make plentiful provision for a wedding feast (Jn. 2:7); and surely then he will not be wanting in provision for his own wedding feast, when the marriage of the Lamb is come, and the bride hath made herself ready, a victorious triumphant feast, Rev. 19:7, 17, 18. [bold - mine]