The King’s Invitation (Matthew 22:1-14)

The King’s Invitation

Matthew 22:1-14

November 23, 2025 — Land O’ Lakes Bible Church

Introduction

What is the biggest event that you ever received an invitation to? For me, it came in the Spring of 2007. I was a student at The University of Tennessee where I also worked for the football team as a student equipment manager. And the invitation was to work a special event at Coach Fulmer’s house. An event to honor Peyton Manning for being named MVP of the 2007 Super Bowl as he led his Colts over the Chicago Bears. 

Coach wanted some of us as managers to come and assist with the party by helping shuttle people from a big field on his property down to the house. We were there to work, but then once the party started, we were told to come down and join in for a bit in between. 

It was an invitation that came at the worst of times for me. As it was the night before I had a major project do. But how could I refuse such an invitation to serve our coach and be at a celebration for a Volunteer Legend like Peyton Manning? To refuse such an invitation would have been shameful and ungrateful to take part in such an opportunity. 

An opportunity that through the years as I have told this story, have left people envious. They wish they could simply meet Peyton Manning. And here I got to hang out with him and work an event honoring him. So I am thankful to have received the invitation to work the event and even more thankful to have accepted the invitation rather than having rejected it. 

But as exciting as that invite was for me in 2007, we come an even bigger invite this morning that I want us to consider from our sermon passage.  

Please then take out your Bibles and turn with me to Matthew 22:1-14. If you do not have a copy of the Bible. That is perfectly alright. We have some Red Bibles there in your seats and would love to have you take that Bible out and open in it to page #983 where you will find our passage. 

We continue this morning in our study of the Gospel According to Matthew. Throughout this Gospel, it has been emphasized the hostility between the religious leaders of Israel and Jesus. A hostility that is only increasing with time as they continue to reject Jesus. 

With this rejection and hostility increasing, Jesus has began warning the leaders of dire consequences that lay ahead for them if they continue to reject. We saw this in 2 parables last week. The first parable comparing two sons, one who changes his mind and does the will of the LORD. And the other who states he will, but refuses. Then in the second parable, we had the kingdom compared to that of a land owner and tenants, tenants who refused to honor the land owner and those he sent. And their wickedness was then turned on their heads. 

Both parables then pointing to how Israel has failed to do the will of the LORD in accepting Jesus. This continues with a third parable this morning. As we come to the reading of God’s word this morning, let us be reminded of this truth: 

1 Peter 1:24–25 ESV

24b The grass withers, and the flower falls, 25a but the word of the Lord remains forever.”

Let’s then hear the word of the Lord that remains forever from Matthew 22:1-14…

This is the word of the LORD that stands forever and may it now be a light to our feet. This word is broken up in 2 sections. Sections that do not match your Bibles divisions. Yet, I think by seeing these divisions, it will help us to better follow Matthew’s argument. 

Section 1 comprises of V.1-8. And section 2 of V.9-14. In both sections we have an invitation, rejection, another invitation followed by indignation. We see this indignation in V.7-8 and again in V.13-14. This repetition then shapes the passage with this, that I think is the Main Idea here of Matthew 22:1-14.

God’s gracious invitation of salvation goes out freely to all, but this invitation must be accepted and on God’s terms. We are going to unfold this in two parts: (1) The Wedding Invitation and (2) The Wedding Garments. 

1. The Wedding Invitation (Matthew 22:1-8)

In V.1, we see that Jesus continues to speak to the crowd in parables. To remind us again on what parables are, I want to borrow this morning from Leland Ryken’s How to Read the Bible as Literature…and get more out of it. He writes in it [1], 

These (parables) are simple stories are didactic in their purpose. Before they fully interest us or assume their true significance, we must usually attach a symbolic meaning to some of the details in the story, and we must always find one or more religious themes in them. 

And that is precisely what we see here in this third parable by Jesus. He uses a simple story about a king and a wedding feast for his son as seen there in V.2.

This Son is clearly meant to be understood as Jesus, the Son of God Incarnate who has come to dwell with man. It is he who is the bridegroom being celebrated. Therefore, the King here is to be understood as God the Father. This making the wedding celebration then that of the marriage supper of the Lamb to use the language of Revelation 19:9. A marriage between Jesus and his bride, the church. 

And to this marriage supper of the Lamb, there are guests who are invited to join in. But there is a problem. V.3…

The King’s most gracious invitation is sent out for these guests to be invited to the wedding feasts. Yet, they refused to come. They rejected and ignored the King’s invite. But what we see of the King that follows reveals his character. V.4…

The patience and grace of the King has been revealed. As well as his caring provision for all his guests would desire or need. For he says the dinner has been prepared. The oxen and cattle slaughtered. I can see it now a table with ox tail and steak galore! Yum!

All is ready for the wedding celebration. All is done. All left is for the guests to accept the invitation and attend. And yet what do we see? A response of contempt for the King’s gracious invite to such a feast. V.5-6…

We see the two levels of responses to this 2nd attempt to invite the guests. The first merely has better things to do. They find their work, their lives, their hobbies, their families more important than the gracious invitation of the King. Their response is indifference, but it is still an act of defiance and rejection of the King and his authority. 

The second group also shows contempt against the King. But their contempt is more hostile. They seize his messengers, cause them shame and suffering and even kill them. This building from the previous parable of the tenants killing the servants sent, along with the son. 

But who are these guests? These first guests are that of Israel. A people the Lord had graciously delivered from slavery in Egypt. A people who the Lord, the King had entered covenant with as his people. A people who he had brought into a land of milk and honey, providing for them all that they needed. A King who was their refuge and strength in the midst of their enemies. 

Yet, as they were continually invited by God to himself, to live according to his ways, they rejected him. He would send his prophets time and time again to warn them to turn and hear his voice. Yet, with each passing invite to return, the people would reject him. Only a remnant would remain faithful along the way. A remnant being a small number. 

And so, with God’s gracious invitation being continually rejected, God’s wrath and judgment is now to be poured out on Israel for their contempt. V.7-8…

While it is not something we like to consider or dwell on, God is not just a gracious God, but he is just and judges with a perfect and just judgment. A judgment that is being predicted against Israel for their rejection. For here Jesus says that these guests of Israel who have rejected and opposed God in his invitation to this wedding feast would be the ones whose city would be burned, whose murderers would be destroyed. 

A judgement that was carried out in the year AD 70. For while it was at the hand of Nero that came in and destroyed the temple and burned the city, it was God who orchestrated these things as an act of judgment against unbelieving Israel in their rejection of this most gracious invitation to his kingdom. For though they had been invited, their contempt of the King had found them unworthy. 

Now, this parable was originally aimed at Israel in Jesus’ day, however it is a parable equally applicable for us. For this same invitation continues to go out through the proclamation of the gospel. The gospel being that of the good news of God’s coming salvation in Jesus! That he is the one who has come to rescue us from our sin.

As this message is proclaimed, God’s gracious invitation continues to be extended. Extended to you and me. To our family, friends, and neighbors as the gospel is proclaimed! Inviting them to God’s wedding feast in Christ! A feast that meets every need and want of our soul.  

To borrow from that great Prince of Preachers himself, Charles Spurgeon [2], 

“Indeed, they proclaimed grace all-sufficient, meeting every want of the soul: “All things are ready.” And then they uttered the King’s proclamation: “Come unto the marriage.””

This is the beauty of the invitation that we receive in hearing the gospel proclaimed! For though sin brought us into a state of sin and misery [3], but in Christ that misery is overturned and the sin is cast away. But the question for us, like those in Jesus’ day, will we receive this invitation or not? 

Will we come to God’s banquet for Christ Jesus? If we do, if we have believed in Jesus, we have every want for our souls met in Jesus! We are filled in Christ as we feast on him! For he is the bread of life and the living water! 

But if you do not accept this invitation of the gospel to come to Jesus. You are no different than these from Israel who resisted and rejected God. 

For how many of you who do not believe are like those who had better things to do? Tending to your family, your work, your hobbies, your interests? Preferring them over God? Their fate will be your fate, friend, if you continue in your rejection. 

Likewise those who oppose God’s messengers by seizing them and putting them to shame. All who oppose and resist and reject God will be found unworthy. And God’s just judgment awaits them for rejecting this most gracious invitation. So hear and accept the invitation today, before it is to late.

That’s point #1, The Wedding Invitation.

2. The Wedding Garment (Matthew 22:9-14)

V.9-14 repeat the pattern of V.1-8. Invitation, rejection, another invitation goes forth, then indignation. First the invitation. V.9…

Again the king instructs his messengers to go out. This time, they are sent to the busy crossroads and grab any and all that passed by and bring them to the banquet. Until they finally were able to fill the wedding banquet. V.10…

In both the bad and good being called is an emphasis that there is no partiality in who is being invited to attend the wedding feast of the King’s son. Both those who have the appearance of being good and those who do not are invited. Both those who are on the in crowd and those who are outsiders are invited. The rich and the poor. The healthy and the sick. All alike are invited to the wedding banquet.

Again, this refers to God’s invitation of the gospel. Of entrance to a heavenly marriage banquet centered on Jesus! The lamb of God who came to lay down his life in exchange for sinners. The righteous for the unrighteous! It is this message that continues to go out. 

It is a gospel message that goes out to all people, regardless of how messed up they are, how broken they are, how wicked they are. It goes out to all despite their ethnicity or cultural upbringing. It is a gospel that goes out inviting the bad and the good. 

But with this gracious invitation comes another rejection. V.11…

We might be tempted to read this verse and be tempted to dismiss it. For how can those who have just been called off the streets, these both bad and good, be expected to both accept the invitation and come ready for the wedding feast. But this would be to miss the point. For this wedding garment that the King notes is lacking on this man is not something he would have come with, but would have been provided for him by the King for his guests! 

A garment that has then been rejected by this man in contempt against the King and His Son. For this man came to enjoy the feast with all its delicacies and benefits. Yet, he disregarded the honor of him whose guest he was. We see this further in V.12…

The man knew his guilt and was caught. But instead of changing his mind, he was left speechless as he remained in his opposition to the King. 

Now what is this wedding garment that has been so refused by this guest? It is the garments of Christ himself. 

First, these wedding garments are to indicate a putting on of Christ’s righteousness instead of our own. For when we accept the invitation of the gospel by true faith, we are thus receiving and resting on Christ and His righteousness [4].  

This guest has come to have the benefits of Christ, without putting on Christ as his only hope in life and death. 

Second, in putting on this garment of Christ’s righteousness, it would begin to produce a righteousness flowing out the wedding guests. A righteousness again, not of the guests own, but of Christ that leads to good fruit and good works. 

For when one comes to Christ and is united to Christ, they are being transformed into a new image, the image of their bridegroom, Christ! They do not stay the same and have a new appearance about them. 

Guests then may fool many who are around them, but the King will not be fooled! And so, many such may enter into the church and fool a great many. But they in the end will be exposed and sentenced accordingly. V.13…

Those who refuse the wedding garment provided in Christ will not remain, they will not be allowed to take part in the royal wedding of the King’s son. For they like the first have treated the King with contempt and are found unworthy and facing the catastrophic disaster of their rejection to put on Christ, the very hope of our salvation! 

We see such today. For consider the silliness of the Lordship debate of Christ. That one could be saved, but Christ not be their King. 

Jesus’ point here in this parable blows this silly debate up. For one cannot be in attendance of this great wedding feast of Christ without putting on the garment of Christ with him as Lord. 

Consider how many desire the benefits of salvation, to be in heaven some day. And yet are not concerned with being in the presence of God and his Beloved Son? They even receive the invitation and come to take part in the benefits of the wedding feast with no reverence for the King and His Son, Jesus! 

This means they may enter the church regularly, have even gone through the waters of baptism and be taking the Lord’s Supper, yet their joy is not for Christ! They have no regard to put his garments on and walk in his ways! 

They want Jesus enough to help them escape the penalty of sin while continuing to rejoice in their sin. Such will not stand in the Great Wedding Feast of the Lamb of God! They like this man in the parable will be bound and put out and cast into the place of weeping and gnashing of teeth for all eternity! 

Friend, beware of such judgment that awaits all who desire the delicacies of salvation, without putting on its garments!  

For yes, God saves by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone! But that faith, that real faith will have the aroma of Christ with it! For one who has come to Jesus by faith will be one who walks with Jesus and begins to smell like Jesus and look like Jesus! 

Why though do so many hear this gospel invitation, but refuse to put on the garment of Christ? We find that answer in V.14…

As this invitation of the gospel goes forth, it goes forth broadly to all people. This is what is referred to by many as general calling. The gospel goes forth generally so that all may hear. For we as Christians are then to practice this by taking the gospel and sowing it broadly and widely so that all may hear. 

And yet, we are told that few are chosen. This being the effective calling of the gospel. 

The effective calling of the gospel is that while the gospel goes forth to all, it is only when the gospel goes forth through the proclaiming of God’s word and is effected by the Holy Spirit to produce in them a new spiritual life. 

This is why there are many who hear the invitation of the gospel and even to go back to the parable of the seeds, seemingly respond to the gospel invitation at first. But it is only those who have received this effectual calling of the gospel who will endure in true faith and will celebrate with the King and His Son in this grand Marriage Supper of the Lamb! 

There are several applications here for us from this truth. 

We are to follow the lead of the King’s servants in taking out the message of the gospel to both the bad and the good, showing no partiality. It is an invitation to be extended to all as the only hope of life and death. 

As we hear that many are called, but few are chosen, we then should not grow weary in our evangelism. For though it seems discouraging that the many are not responding, those chosen by God will be brought to faith through this ordinary (yet extraordinary) means of hearing the gospel. The Lord will work in those whom he chooses to work, leading them to himself. Our job then is to keep proclaiming! 

Even now, we can have confidence and assurance in our being chosen by God in such salvation! For even the timing of the giving of this statement comes as an indictment to those who would accept the King’s invitation to the wedding feast, but refuse his garments, it is an encouragement to all who have put on Christ and are seeing Christ being worked out in us! For we need but to look no further than what is our hope for salvation? Is it to simply escape the punishment of our sin or to be restored to God? Is our assurance in our religious activity or is it in the one our religion is built on, Christ himself? As Christians, we can have such assurance! But we must regularly examine ourselves and the object of our faith. For the object of our faith is to be Christ himself! 

This last one though is for those who have rejected to put on the garment of Christ. Friend, unless you take off your old garments of sin and the things of the flesh, and put on Christ, you will prove to be one who is not worthy of being in attendance at this wedding feast. Begin to see your need to put on Christ and walk in accordance to the ways of the King, before he puts you out. 

Conclusion

The gospel invitation of God’s kingdom is a gift, extended to the bad and the good without any pre-conditions. But to enter such a kingdom calls for a union with the King’s son. A union that clothes us with his wedding garments of righteousness and fruitfulness. Without these, we are unfit for the kingdom. So beware to any who would reject the invitation to the wedding feast or those who seemingly would accept the invitation, but refuse the wedding garments of Christ! Both rejections have catastrophic consequences. 

Praise be to God for all though who hear the call of the gospel and come accordingly! May we come and rejoice in the one we are united to, our very bridegroom, Christ himself! 

Let’s pray!

Endnotes:

[1] Leland Ryken. How to Read the Bible as Literature…and get more out of it. (Grand Rapids, MI, Zondervan, 1984) 152. 

[2] C. H. Spurgeon, The Gospel of the Kingdom: A Commentary on the Book of Matthew (London: Passmore and Alabaster, 1893), 189–190.

[3] Baptist Catechism, Question 20. (Broken Wharfe, 2025) 101. “The fall brought mankind into an estate of sin and misery.”

[4] The Baptist Confession of Faith & The Baptist Catechism. (Broken Wharfe, 2025)  Chapter 11, paragraph 2. 26