The book of Matthew records a fascinating parable of Jesus. It’s about a wedding and proper wedding attire. In Matthew 22 we read that a great wedding was arranged by the king. There was much excitement as the king prepared this celebration for his son. In verse 3 we read, He “sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding.”
Sadly, those receiving the invitation were not excited. Can you imagine a king inviting people to a wedding, and they don’t come? We should keep in mind that this parable has meaning for us today—Jesus is calling us to His wedding feast. Are we planning on being there?
In the parable not only did the guests refuse the invitation; they seized the king’s servants, treated them cruelly, and killed them.
Sadly, this kind of treatment sometimes happens to God’s messengers even today. As we accept God’s call and say, “I Will Go,” we should be prepared to be misrepresented, refused, tormented, shunned, and perhaps even killed. Through the years many Christians, including Seventh-day Adventists, have been martyred for their faith.
But we do not need to be afraid of the future. We are assured of Christ’s presence until the very end of time. And anyone who has been watching current events will know prophecy is being fulfilled just as God foretold. We are living in highly unusual times.
Those Who Came
Returning to the parable, when the king heard how his servants were treated, he was furious. He sent out his armies, destroyed the murderers, and burned their city.
Then the king started over. He told his servants, “The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. . . . Go into the highways and as many as you find, invite to the wedding” (verses 8, 9). Many people came—both bad and good—and the wedding hall was filled with guests (verse 11).
Today, as God’s message is proclaimed, there will be people who aren’t aligned with God’s Holy Word, but will be part of those who respond. To the very end of time there will be the good and the bad, the wheat and the tares (see Matt. 13:24-30). But the Bible assures us there will be a shaking, and, in fact, I believe the shaking has begun.
When Christ provides His robe of righteousness, it’s a perfect fit, and it fits everyone! We just need to accept it and put it on.
There is only one way you and I can prevent ourselves from being swept up with erroneous ideas and cultural implications that push against God’s Word. There is only one way from being shaken out, and that is complete reliance upon the righteousness of Jesus Christ as we are nurtured in His righteousness by reading His Holy Word, studying His Spirit of Prophecy instructions, and maintaining our prayer life with Him at all times. We must receive Christ’s justifying power, His sanctifying power, His reviving and reforming power. Let’s share this marvelous gift and relationship in righteousness with others as we engage in Total Member Involvement.
The Bible is filled with beautiful promises showing what Jesus can and will do for us when we accept His robe of righteousness: “As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe on His name” (John 1:12). Philippians 2:5 encourages us to “let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” And Revelation 3:18 tells us exactly who we are and how we are to be redeemed from the terrible curse of self-centeredness: “Buy from Me gold . . . , that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed . . . ; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love I rebuke and chasten. Therefore, be zealous and repent.”
Given a Perfect Garment
Returning to the parable, we gain deeper insights into Christ’s ministry. In Matthew 22:11 we read that when the king was greeting the guests, he noticed that one was not wearing a wedding garment.
“Friend,” he asked, “how did you come in here without a wedding garment?” (verse 12). The man was speechless! Even though he was given a perfect garment, he chose not to wear it.
Today the King not only invites us to the wedding of His Son; He also provides the right clothing as a gift. When Christ provides His robe of righteousness, it’s a perfect fit, and it fits everyone! We just need to accept it and put it on. This wedding garment represents “the pure, spotless character which Christ’s true followers will possess.”1
Please notice: It is not our character; it is Christ’s character. “It is the righteousness of Christ, His own unblemished character, that through faith is imparted to all who receive Him as their personal Saviour.”2 Do we really believe this?
Continuing, we read this wonderful promise: “This covering, the robe of His own righteousness, Christ will put upon every repenting, believing soul. . . . This robe, woven in the loom of heaven, has in it not one thread of human devising. Christ in His humanity wrought out a perfect character, and this character He offers to impart to us. ‘All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.’ . . . By His perfect obedience He has made it possible for every human being to obey God’s commandments.”3
Christ Living in Us
Don’t fall for the trap that people set up when they say, “It’s not possible to keep the commandments. It’s not possible to live a perfect life.” While it is true that you cannot live a perfect life on your own, with the robe of Christ’s righteousness covering us and His power living within us, we are able to follow where He leads.
And then, sanctification begins—Christ’s righteousness in us. “When we submit ourselves to Christ, the heart is united with His heart; the will is merged in His will; the mind becomes one with His mind, the thoughts are brought into captivity to Him; we live His life. This is what it means to be clothed with the garment of His righteousness. . . . Righteousness is right doing, and it is by their deeds that all will be judged. Our characters are revealed by what we do. The works show whether the faith is genuine.”4
Are you willing to receive, from the hand of Christ, His covering garment that will enable you to be a colaborer with heaven? Accepting the beautiful gift of Christ’s robe that covers and transforms us into His image is foundational to becoming a follower of Christ and a colaborer with Him. Let us accept His incredible gift of His justifying and sanctifying power and be ready for that heavenly marriage feast of the Lamb!
1 Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1900, 1941), p. 310.
2 Ibid.
3 Ibid., pp. 311, 312.
4 Ibid., p. 312.