The parable told by Jesus speaks of a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused. Why? They were busy; they went to work, busied themselves with their temporary life here on earth, forgetting what lay ahead: eternal life or in their case eternal damnation. These were evil in their heart by omission; others intentionally did evil as they destroyed the servants with the invitation. In either case, the invitation was delivered and ignored; these potential guests were lost forever because of their negligent decision.
With these not willing to attend the banquet, the King sent word to all who were undeserving to come to the banquet. Anyone the servants could find were invited, the bad and the good. The festivity was immense; the wedding hall was filled with guests; the party was ready. However, the King in all His glory looked and noticed in the midst of this crowd one man in particular. This man was not dressed for the occasion! His “non-wedding” attire gave him away! Infuriated with this man's choice of clothing, the King had him thrown outside into utter darkness. Understand this, "Many are invited, but few are chosen."
Understandably, we can accept why the first two were not at the banquet and were destroyed; they refused their invitation. But in the case of this one man, I ask you, are there dress requirements for the banquet held in heaven? According to this parable, there is. You see there are four kinds of people that are invited to the banquet of eternity in heaven.
The distracted: the people that are busy with their temporary life here on earth.
The destructive: the people who kill and destroy all good sent from heaven to earth.
The deceived: the people who don’t know Jesus nor God’s will; they only perform good works that appear spiritual, but are actually dead because there is no faith in God’s Son.
The delivered: the people who know, love, and serve Christ with a heart of faith; these have obtained the wedding attire that reveal redemption and total submission to God’s will.
Take note, the verse “Many are invited, but few are chosen,” actually means “Many are invited, but few obtain salvation through Christ.” There is no other way to heaven; no other way to the banquet with the Son except through the Son. The proper wedding attire is not good works, but the covering of Christ’s blood. We are to wear His “red” attire that cleanses our black sin into white snow. The man at the banquet stood out because his sin was exposed; his sin was not cleansed. His “supposed” righteousness was as filthy rags. All he wanted was the self-satisfaction of food and the party atmosphere; he did not want the Son. His focus was self-serving not Son-serving.
The good news, we are all invited to the banquet. The bad news, only one kind of individual is accepted. Which kind are you: the distracted; the destructive, the deceived, the delivered? Be delivered by professing faith in Jesus. His wedding attire is obtainable! His hand is outstretched offering it to you…will you be chosen?
