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| Matthew 22:13 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. 14 For many are called, but few are chosen." |
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16
The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19
The Epistle and Gradual
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
The Groom Is Jesus, the Bride Is the Believing Church
The Sanctus p. 26
The Lord's Prayer p. 27
The Words of Institution
The Agnus Dei p. 28
The Nunc Dimittis p. 29
The Benediction p. 31
The Hymn # 309 O Jesus Blessed Lord
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| Norma A. Boeckler |
Twentieth Sunday After Trinity
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The Groom and the Believing Bride
KJV Matthew 22:1 And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, 2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, 3 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. 4 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 unto the marriage.
This is one of those parables where the people can say, "Wha-a-a-a-t?" But it makes perfect sense in this story. As I have said before, when there is a challenge to write a very short story that makes sense, teachers dare writers to accomplish that feat, let alone, making it powerful and lasting. And this parable is not for the superficial who want to make a joke out it and declare how silly it is.
Simply put, the Groom is the Son of God. The King is God the Father. The Bride is the Believing Church. Let's not flit around with which denomination, which country, which bishops, popes, and which almoners (social workers). The believing are those who trust in Jesus Christ (numbers and buildings and social approval mean nothing).
Here we have the stupendous invitation. No one finds the Christian Faith, the effective Word finds people, even baptized by water and the Word. The baby would say, "Do I have a vote on this?" No, the Spirit is placed on the baby through the Word, a definite plus for all children. However, the babies can grow up and grow indifferent, maybe because of parents, or clergy, or teachers. Many times faith in Jesus Christ will grow again for various reasons, and baptism rekindles.
The part about the invitation is natural to all of us. Someone generously gives us an invitation to a special event. Really special. I said to Christina, "Do you want to go to The Country Club?" She said, "What's the name?" I said "Thee Country Club." We got there so early that they asked if we were part of the wait staff! We were very young and these were the major senior players in Cleveland, Ohio.
This is far more important - Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. And it was that kind of gathering, with lots of good and desserts. We were ready - we went!
5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: 6 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.
This is the perfect parallel about the early Evangelists - Stephan (crown in Greek) preached the Gospel while he was dying. All the Apostles (except perhaps John) died from persecution. Chasing the Christians away spread the Gospel even more. In a relative short time, the Christian faith grew - not in spite of persecution but because of persecution. We do not want to hear what was done to the believers, but it was terrible and still is, around the world.
7 But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. 8 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. 9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.
We can look at world history (though most is lost) and see that vast numbers of people lost everything from wars, weather, famine, etc. Note - the murderers were murdered. Where did the believers come from, after such so much carnage involving the invite-haters?
The Gospel moved on, as it always does, and tiny groups made up pockets of believers and spread from there. Look at our own country's history. People sailed from England to get away from the Pope trying to take over (through the secretly Catholic kings) and also from witchcraft and sorcery. They wanted freedom of Faith and a country based upon God.
God said, "Let anyone come to My Feast." Luther preached on this being the Groom - Jesus loving and protecting His Bride - The Believing Church. What does the bride wish in real life? To be loved by the groom. Luther became a groom at the age of 42, prodded by his father. He adored Katy so much that he was afraid he loved her more than he loved Christ.
The King says about people available - Grab anyone you can!
10 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.
Those of us who do not think themselves worthy - we are not. But there is still room, so - often against our own will - we come to the feast. One pastor told me about a young husband and wife coming from the upper level class - "Good genes." I thought that was the worst way to describe anyone.
11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: 12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. 13 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. 14 For many are called, but few are chosen.
What is the wedding garment of the invited guests? God knows - those who sincerely believe in Jesus Christ, who is our Teacher about God the Father and God the Holy Spirit.
As we can see from the Church Growth Movement and Objective Faithless Justification, the proper clothing is not worn. Let them talk a little (often way too much). They talk about numbers, money, importance, degrees, titles, properly, friendship with important people, all lacking faith in Jesus Christ and furious than anyone would object to their lack of faith. One LCA pastor pointed at me during a sermon as someone who was against everything he stood for. Coming down from the pulpit, he said to me among others, "I have a woman in my church who says people like you are sending her to Hell!" I said, "I believe God is the one deciding that." He went away in a huff. Several WELS pastors did the same, from their pulpits, glaring and accusing.
As Luther clearly teaches. We are all the brides of Christ, longing for His love, dwelling in His love, astonished by the wonderful gifts He gives - not material things but the fruit of the Spirit. If you feel downhearted, not worthy, alienated, just read the Gospel of John - simple words, profound meaning.
Start each day praying for forgiveness, faith in Jesus Christ. End the day with thanksgiving, all requests, guidance for the future. Name names. Each night, I name every member of our little congregation and others associated in some way. I name the various troubles they might have. And I appreciate prayers too.