He said to him, “My friend, how is it that you came in here without a wedding garment?” But he was reduced to silence. Matthew 22:12 NABRE
Jesus tells a parable of a wedding feast, where those invited do not come and the host eventually has to invite anyone from the local area, the feast is ready and the guests are needed. Those that come are from the roads and they are called to participate because those invited refused to come. But once the feast begins and the host sees someone not dressed in a proper wedding garment the host has him bound and thrown out in the darkness; which is described as a place of wailing and grinding of teeth, what we consider the netherworld, a place without God, commonly called hell. It is strange there is this wedding garment requirement because it seems the people were grabbed from the street, perhaps taken directly from work. But for God it is not enough to just show up. We must contribute in some manner. One of the easiest ways to find yourself in front of an unhappy God is to not try. God has mercy and forgiveness, even failure is met with a proud response from God. But not trying is usually grounds for some wailing and gnashing of teeth. We see the same in the parable of the master who left three servants with talents while he was on a long trip. When he returned two increased the masters talents, but the third buried the talent and returned only what was given to him. The master was not happy and the “lazy” servant was also thrown into the darkness (see Matthew 25:14-30.)
When it comes to discipleship, doing nothing is offensive. It is like being ashamed of or fearing God. Always try as a disciple, trying is met by God with rejoicing and usually trying leads to success.
Are you a disciple? Do you try to be a good disciple?
When it comes to discipleship, doing nothing is offensive. It is like being ashamed of or fearing God. Always try as a disciple, trying is met by God with rejoicing and usually trying leads to success. Click To Tweet#bible’#godisgreat #jesus #christianity #dailybibleverse @youversion #BeAnEncourager #heaven #invite #Matthew #everybodyalways #god #jesuschrist #jesussaves #godisgood #dailydevotion #biblestudy #scripture #bibleverse #verseoftheday #cross #last #Matthew #loveeachother #godisgreat #thisVineyard #youversion #everythingalways