So the servants went out into the streets and gathered everyone they could find, both evil and good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.Those servants went out into the highways and gathered together as many as they found, both bad and good. The wedding was filled with guests.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 those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was filled with guests.
3 sermons cite this verse
The parable is recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 22. Honestly, I don't like it. It's probably my least favorite of all the stories that Jesus told. The king is supposed to represent God, right? So I would hope that this king would be more welcoming. Why couldn't he just say to the guy, Friend, what happened? Did the dry cleaner lose your suit? Your luggage got lost in baggage claim? No worries. Here, have one of my robes. I've got plenty. Jesus could have told the story that way. He had told other stories like that. For example, his story about the prodigal son who dishonored his father, left home, squandered his cash, then crawls back home, humiliated and ashamed. And his father, his father who represents God, his father becomes the cover the son hadn't even wished for. His father runs out to meet him, puts his best robe on him, and throws him a party. Now that's a story. And Jesus told it. But this story Jesus tells about the wedding feast is told for a different purpose. …
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus. Why don't you have a seat? So growing up, my brother was legendary. My brother still is legendary. I have a legendary older brother. But when I was growing up, my brother was legendary for his ability to have this thing. It's a superpower called selective hearing. Familiar with this? So I have no idea how this would happen. But they'd say, hey, Mike, go get your brother. It's time for supper. I'd be like, Mark, come down for supper. Like calling up to his bedroom or going downstairs. Here we are going downstairs. Like, Mark, dinner's ready. Nothing. so I go walk down the stairs, and I can look around the corner. I can see him sitting in front of the TV, or actually, I would often see him standing in front of the TV. I'm not sure why. That's how we watch TV in high school, but I'm like, I can see him. I'm like, Mark, Mark, Mark, so I get closer. …
"Then said He to His servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were invited were not worthy Go you therefore into the highways, and as many as you shall find, invite to the marriage. 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." Matthew 22:8-10. IN the previous verses of this striking parable, we see that the Great King had been ungraciously treated by his subjects, and had in his wrath swept the rebels away. But there was the feast still waiting for guests and the time had arrived to celebrate the nuptials of his son. The terror of the royal power had been proven, but it still remained to display the splendor of the imperial hospitality. Therefore, while yet the clash of arms is in our ears, we hear the voice of royal clemency! The din of war and the tramp of warriors have not caused the wedding or its feast to be forgotten, neither has wrath obliterated mercy! We read that "he sent forth his armies, and slew those murderers, and burned up their city," but in the next line we find the record, "then said he to his servants, go you into the highways, and as many as you shall find, invite to the marriage." In wrath he remembers mercy. On the heels of his men at arms he dispatches the ambassadors of peace. His power went forth to destroy his enemies, but it also went with his messengers to gather the needy from the streets. Judgment is the Lord's strange work, but He delights in mercy! Once He smites, but not till He has thrice invited the rebels come to Him. And when at last He overthrows the incorrigible, He takes occasion from it to extend His bounty to many others. Truly, God is Love! …