More Than a Fire Escape.

Jesus had just pointed out that the Pharisees and priests thought they were more holy than other people because they were so religious, yet Jesus said the unreligious were more apt to get into heaven than they were.   Jesus used another parable to reinforce what he had taught about what is required for salvation.  

“And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.  Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.  But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.” (Matthew 22:1-6)

God planned a way for mankind to be saved, from the very beginning of the world.  By giving the law, he effectively gave the children of Israel a special invitation.  Christ came, dying on the cross and completing our salvation so that the supper is now ready.  Mankind did not welcome God’s offer, as Romans 1:28-32 explains.  “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.”  Throughout history, people have deliberately ignored God’s invitation, mocking and even killing those who invite them to come to Christ. 
 

“But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.  Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.  Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.” (Matthew 22:7-9)

Adam and Eve’s sin resulted in man being by nature sinners, but Christ made atonement for sin.  John 3:36 tells us, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”  When people refused to accept Christ, they were condemned, but God sent out his servants to invite anyone who wished to come.

“So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.  And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.  Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.  For many are called, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:10-14)

Even though salvation is readily available to anyone, it is not to be taken lightly.  God is not desperate for people to go to heaven, and will not drop his standards to get them to come.  The wedding guest without the wedding garment just came for a free meal, with no concern for the purpose of the feast.  He was arrested and punished for such disrespect.  Similarly, today Christ offers those who believe in him an entire new life.  Unfortunately, many just look at making a profession of faith as an insurance policy or a  fire escape from hell and have no interest in being Christians.  As Luke 14:26-27 warns, that will not save them.  “If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.  And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.”  There must be a sincere commitment to Christ. 

Hebrews 10:26-30 warns about not taking our salvation seriously.  “For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.  He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?  For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.”

While everyone is invited, only those who sincerely commit to Christ will be saved.