A State banquet was being held that evening, to honor the presence of the ruler of another mighty nation, and full dress was the King’s command for those privileged to attend. The guests were arriving: peers and peeresses in splendid attire; army commanders in the scarlet and gold uniforms of their respective rank. It was a gay and gorgeous scene in Buckingham Palace that evening as they assembled in the hall. Among those resplendent uniforms, chatting gaily to their wearers, moved a striking figure. Across his spotless white shirt front were draped the sashes of the Legion of Honor and the Order of the Bath, while on his black coat shimmered many well-earned decorations, bestowed by his sovereign’s hand. A great and victorious general, he freely moved among his peers, with whom he had so often been associated in far different scenes to that happy gathering about to take place in the presence of Their Majesties and their guests.
But, suddenly, an unexpected thing happened. Deferential and embarrassed, a Court official approached, saying that as his lordship was not in full dress it would be impossible for him to go up to be presented, or to attend the banquet! What? Was he not well known as a faithful servant of the King? Did not those many decorations prove how his services had been appreciated, and the favors he had received? He not go up into the Royal Presence, indeed! And why not? Because he was appearing there in his own dress, and not in the uniform prescribed by His Majesty.
There was still time, the official suggested, to go back and change. But alas, the uniform was too far away to be got at in time; and, leaving his wife to attend the banquet, that great, and famous, and victorious general had to turn his back on the palace, and the presence of his Sovereign and his guests, rejected, because “improperly attired!”
Such was the story told, a few months ago, in the daily Press. Listen! Here is another story similar in some respects, but told by One Who never mistakes, or adds, or omits one detail inconsistent with truth.
“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 to the marriage. But they made light of it...
“... 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.
“... 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 earnest thou in hither, not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the King to His servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away and cast him into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matt. 22:2-13).
All hangs on attire suited to the presence of the King. King George made the banquet to honor his guest, and those present must be there in a manner suited to the dignity of the one who invited them.
God, a far Greater King, has made a wedding feast for the honor of His Son; and while the invitation goes out to all, “as many as ye shall find,” yet all shall be there in a manner suited to the glory of God, and the honor of His Christ. It matters not whether a peer or a pauper; whether covered with honors as a professing servant of God, or steeped in the mire of this world and the filth of sin, the invitation, on the authority of the word of God goes to all, goes to YOU: “WHOSOEVER WILL LET HIM TAKE OF THE WATER OF LIFE FREELY” (Rev. 22:17).
Come as you are: in the rags of self-righteousness, or the nakedness of sin. God has a Robe for you, the BEST ROBE that heaven itself can provide: “the Righteousness of God, which is unto all, and upon all them that believe” (Rom. 3:22), even “Christ Jesus,” Himself. “Who of God is made unto us... righteousness.”
He was once “made sin for us, Who knew no sin” (2 Cor. 5:21); but the work of atonement is finished, and He is on the Throne of God, the Brightness of all the glory of heaven; and God offers Him to you today, the One Who can meet all your need.
Oh, delay not till too late. Think not that the mercies and favors you receive from the God of all grace can fit you for heaven apart from Christ: He says, “I am the way and the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by Me” (John 14:6).