As Matthew tells it, Jesus’ parable of the great banquet takes an odd turn after the influx of late arrivals from the streets and lanes:
Those servants went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests. But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing a wedding robe, and he said to him, “Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?” And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, “Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
Wow – does correct attire matter that much to this king in Jesus’ story? This part of the tale has always seemed unjust. This man didn’t know he was coming to a wedding, right? How could he have been expected to wear a “wedding robe,” whatever that is? And isn’t Jesus the one who said, “Don’t judge a book by its cover?” Actually no… but the sentiment seems about right. Jesus did say we should judge what’s inside a person, not externals. What the heck is going on here?
No one fully knows, of course, except Jesus. Some scholars think there were certain items of clothing people wore to weddings. Here’s what I think it might mean: that even those who didn’t have much advance invitation had the opportunity to turn, to repent, to “clean up,” as it were. Is that what is meant by the “wedding robe?” This guest is just wandering around, clueless, unconscious, unrepentant and unresponsive.
I recall those verses in the scriptures that speak of being “clothed in righteousness,” and
Wow – does correct attire matter that much to this king in Jesus’ story? This part of the tale has always seemed unjust. This man didn’t know he was coming to a wedding, right? How could he have been expected to wear a “wedding robe,” whatever that is? And isn’t Jesus the one who said, “Don’t judge a book by its cover?” Actually no… but the sentiment seems about right. Jesus did say we should judge what’s inside a person, not externals. What the heck is going on here?
No one fully knows, of course, except Jesus. Some scholars think there were certain items of clothing people wore to weddings. Here’s what I think it might mean: that even those who didn’t have much advance invitation had the opportunity to turn, to repent, to “clean up,” as it were. Is that what is meant by the “wedding robe?” This guest is just wandering around, clueless, unconscious, unrepentant and unresponsive.
I recall those verses in the scriptures that speak of being “clothed in righteousness,” and
“As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”
“As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.” And in Revelation 19:7-8 we have this promise:
“...for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready; to her it has been granted to be clothed with fine linen, bright and pure — for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.”
What do you feel “clothed in” today? Is it what you want to be wearing? Might you try on another suit, another shirt, one that is more like what you want to feel like, how you want to be seen at the banquet? Are you clothed in anxiety and want to be clothed in serenity and joy? As a prayer exercise, try playing “dress-up” with God; put on the feelings of the people you’re praying for, or the feelings you’d like to have.
Martin Luther wrote of God’s grace in Christ as the “Great Exchange,” by which Christ took on our filthy beggars’ rags and gives us his royal robes to wear. Christ has clothed us in HIS holiness. He covers even the most shameful parts of us, the parts we think are unlovable. He loves us into love. In his righteousness, his holiness, his glory, we can stand unashamed, unhidden. We can allow our true selves to be seen, knowing that we are loved beyond measure by the God who made us, redeemed us, and loves us to the end of time. We are princes and princesses – let’s dress like we know it.
I once wrote a hymn to go with this gospel reading. (If you want to sing it in your head, I put it to the tune of hymn 544, Duke Street , "Jesus shall reign where'er the sun")
Clothed in Holiness
Clothed in holiness, bathed in glory, Born anew in sacred story.
From north and south, from west and east, saints throng to your wedding feast.
Send out the heralds, the banquet waits, leave your distractions, don’t be late.
The master calls, the feast prepared of food divine and wine so rare.
If the invited will not come Send out the word to deaf and dumb
All who are sick, lame, hopeless, lost called by the host who spares no cost.
And if your clothes are ragged, old, new garments spun of finest gold
Are giv’n to all who heed the call: This invitation is for all.
So in we pour, all sorts, all kinds, the least in front, the first behind.
No class or label can divide this Bridegroom from his chosen bride.
Clothed in holiness, bathed in glory, Born anew in sacred story.
From north and south, from west and east we throng into God’s wedding feast.
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