Chosen

Matthew 22:1-14:

Jesus again in reply spoke to the chief priests and elders of the people in parables, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. He dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the feast, but they refused to come. A second time he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those invited: “Behold, I have prepared my banquet, my calves and fattened cattle are killed, and everything is ready; come to the feast.”’ Some ignored the invitation and went away, one to his farm, another to his business. The rest laid hold of his servants, mistreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged and sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then he said to his servants, ‘The feast is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy to come. Go out, therefore, into the main roads and invite to the feast whomever you find.’ The servants went out into the streets and gathered all they found, bad and good alike, and the hall was filled with guests. But when the king came in to meet the guests, he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding garment. The king said to him, ‘My friend, how is it that you came in here without a wedding garment?’ But he was reduced to silence. Then the king said to his attendants, ‘Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.’ Many are invited, but few are chosen.”

Blog:

The motto for the United States Marine Corps is “Many are called, few are chosen”. The Marines take their motto, not surprisingly, from the Holy Bible via the Parable of the Wedding Feast. It’s not surprising, because Marines (like most Military branches and first-responder organizations) operate as a “life-or-death” business. You don’t have to serve in the Military (or as a first-responder) to understand the potential consequences of this kind of service, but, just like an experienced Mother trying to share what it’s like to give birth to someone who has never given birth, it’s hard to fully-understand indirectly. We all learn much more from experience than from theories and/or the stories of others. Jesus, like the U.S. Marines, is in the “life-or-death” business, too. But His Business has the caveat of being an Eternal “life-or-death” venture. While not all of us have served in the Military or as a first-responder (or have given birth), all of us are in the Bible. You see, the final Book of the Bible (Revelation) hasn’t arrived yet, so we all find ourselves on the pages of Scripture “in-between” Christ’s resurrection and His return for His Final Judgement. We “are” learning “on the job” while experiencing many of trials and tribulations that this world has to offer. But, unlike the Marines, “all” of us are Called and only the “few” will be Chosen. The Wedding Feast of the Lamb (the Lamb’s Supper in Heaven) in the Book of Revelation is on Its way. So, in the remaining pages of the Good Book, let us be sure to get to the Dress Shop, Tuxedo Rental Store etc. (Church) to get fitted for the Wedding Garment(s) we will need to have on when we arrive at the Feast. That’s one Feast we don’t want to miss.