“Many Has Been Called, But Few Has Been Chosen”

Matthew 7:21-23

Called is defined as named; appointed; labeled. 

Chosen is defined as preferred; elect; select; picked. 

The King is giving a wedding feast for his son. The King sends out his servants to call those who are invited to the feast, but they would not come. The King sends out other servants again, to say that dinner is prepared and everything is ready, but they paid no attention, while some went about their business and others treated them shamefully and killed them. The King was angry and sent his troops to destroy the murderers and burn the city. Then he sent his servants to the main roads to find as many as they can and bring them to the feast. Later, when the King came in to look at the guests, he saw a man who was not clothed with the wedding garment. The King asked the man how he got here without a wedding garment, and he was speechless. The man was cast into outer darkness, which is described as a place of weeping and gnashing of teeth. And the parable ends with the statement, “For many are called, but few are chosen.” We see two groups of people who were invited. The first guest list was prepared before the wedding ahead of time, and this is a picture of the Israelites. But they refused to come even though they were the ones expecting the Messiah. The King extends the invitation again to the original list, but this time they harm and kill the servants of the King. So, the King decides to invite others. By sending his servants out to the streets and inviting anyone they could find regardless if they were good or bad. In other words, the banquet was extended to the Jews first and then to the Gentiles. So, even though many were “called”, only a few are chosen. Only those who are willing to accept the terms of the King’s invitation were allowed to participate. The man who was cast out into outer darkness was required to have the wedding garment on, but he didn’t. When asked why not, he was speechless.

I come by this morning to let you know to put on Christ and be His true disciple. No one can enter the banquet of God without an invitation from God. This invitation is by the grace of God alone. Along with the invitation, there is a great responsibility—the responsibility of putting on Christ. Be bless and I love you!!! JE