THE END of the school year had come at last. It was graduation day. 66 grade eight girls assembled in their Clifton, Arizona school for the happy occasion. But amid all the gaiety and excitement, Sally, one of the girls, was barred from the graduation ceremony. Why? Because she had failed her year? No— but because her dress did not conform to regulations.
Long before the students had been told they must wear plain pastel dresses for this occasion. Sally came wearing a yellow-flowered dress. Poor girl, she went home in tears.
“She was defying authority,” explained the school board chairman. But the truth was, Sally’s parents were too poor to buy her a dress, so her aunt kindly made her one. Unfortunately no one had told Auntie that the dress must be plain pastel.
We feel very sorry for poor Sally whose feelings were so deeply hurt, but we are reminded that the Lord Jesus used a similar illustration to teach us all a most important lesson.
In the parable of a certain king who made a marriage for His Son we read: “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.” Matt. 22:1313Then 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. (Matthew 22:13).
The only suitable wedding garment had been provided at great cost out of the royal bounty. No other would do for this glorious event. To come wearing self-chosen clothes was not only a deliberate insult but a direct offense against the king. Nothing could excuse this man’s contempt for the king’s grace and honor. Nothing could excuse his preference for his own robe — especially on the grand occasion made by the king to honor his son.
In the parable the king and his son picture to us God and His beloved Son, the Lord Jesus. The man without a wedding garment is a picture of religious people who prefer their own righteousness, when God says, “All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.” 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).
In the coming day, when God “comes in to see the guests,” everyone found not having a wedding garment will be cast into outer darkness. There shall be weeping. How awful! Are you safe in Christ — now?
THERE’S a stranger at the door,
Let....Him in....
He has been there oft before,
Let....Him in....
Let Him in, ere He is gone,
Let Him in, the Holy One,
Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son,
Let....Him in....
ML-11/25/1973