We have already looked at the parable of the marriage of the king’s son. What we have here is still connected with that parable. In fact it is a part of it. The invitation had gone out, and the guests were gathered in to the feast. “The wedding was furnished with guests.” Then the king came to see the guests, and found one there who had not on a wedding garment. It seems that it was the custom in eastern countries, when a king or a noble made a wedding, or a feast, to furnish all the guests with a garment for the occasion. And if any guest failed to wear this garment, it was considered a mortal offence. It is this custom Jesus alludes to when He speaks of the wedding garment.
This marriage, of which Jesus speaks, is a parable, a kind of figure by which He was illustrating a spiritual truth. And the wedding garment, as well as the marriage, is a figure. God is going to honor His Son just as a king may honor his son by making for him a great wedding. The guests are these who share the joy expressed in the great feast.
And this is a great privilege God is gathering in many guests to the marriage of His Son. Countless numbers will be there, from every kindred and tongue, from every people and nation. And if you accept the invitation, you will be there also.
But God has provided a wedding garment for all who are to partake of the joy of this wedding feast. The garment is a figure of righteousness. And our righteousness will not do for God. We may think our own righteousness is perfect, but it will not stand the searching of God’s holy eye; and if we get into the presence of God in the light, where we can see what our righteousness really is, we will at once see that it will not do for a holy God. Like the prophet of God in Isa. 64:66But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. (Isaiah 64:6), we will be ready to exclaim, “We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.” And surely we do not wish to wrap ourselves in “filthy rags” to go in to the marriage of the King’s Son. Oh! what a dishonor to Him this would be. It would indeed be a mortal offence. But God has provided a wedding garment, and He gives it to us without cost. We could never purchase it. It is too costly. He provides the feast, and He provides the wedding garment, and all we have to do is to accept the invitation and accept the garment. And when we have done so, we can again, exclaim as the prophet, “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.” Isa. 61:1010I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. (Isaiah 61:10).
Now let me give you one text from the New Testament: “But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.” This text, you see, shows that Christ is our righteousness, if we are believers in Him. Could you have a more beautiful garment than this? When you are in Christ by faith, you are clothed with the garments of salvation; you are covered with the robe of righteousness. Oh! what a robe. Surely you could not be better arrayed. I trust, my dear young reader, you have accepted this robe, and have accepted the invitation to the feast.
But we are told in the parable, that the king found a man among the guests who had not on the wedding garment. Alas! it is to be feared that a great many people profess to be Christians who are not clothed in this divine righteousness. They have nothing but their own “filthy rags,” and this will not do. The king said to this man, “Friend, how earnest thou hither, not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.” Ah! yes, he could offer no excuse, for the wedding garment had been furnished, and he had not put it on. “He was speechless.” And let me say, dear reader, if you have not Christ for your “robe of righteousness” in that day, you too, will be speechless, for God has furnished this robe and you would not put it on.
“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.” Oh! that outer darkness! that weeping and gnashing of teeth! Shut out from the feast, and the joy and the song! Shut out in the blackness of darkness forever! And bound hand and foot! All liberty gone! You can no longer do as you please. Bound down under the judgment of God you will be food for the worm that never dies! O sinner, take warning now. Come to the feast, but come with the wedding garment. Accept Jesus Christ as your righteousness, and confess His name, while yet there is opportunity.
ML 06/21/1903