Matthew - Week 68

Ignoring the Invitation 

READ 

Matthew 22:4-6 

4 “So he sent other servants to tell them, ‘The feast has been prepared. The bulls and fattened cattle have been killed, and everything is ready. Come to the banquet!’ 5 But the guests he had invited ignored them and went their own way, one to his farm, another to his business. 6 Others seized his messengers and insulted them and killed them.” 

The invited guests would not come so this is what the king said to his servants. Even after further explaining all the preparations the invited guests still refused to come. Some of the invited guests even killed some of the king’s servants.  

REFLECT 

Do the invited guests mistreating and killing some of the king’s servants remind you of what the Jewish nation did to some of the prophets? 

RESPOND 

With a fellow believer, read Hebrews 11:32-40 that describes the faithfulness of some of God’s servants. May this passage be encouraging to you as you see how others have stood for their faith. 

Filling the Banquet Hall 

READ 

Matthew 22:7-10 

7 “The king was furious, and he sent out his army to destroy the murderers and burn their town. 8 And he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, and the guests I invited aren’t worthy of the honor. 9 Now go out to the street corners and invite everyone you see.’ 10 So the servants brought in everyone they could find, good and bad alike, and the banquet hall was filled with guests.” 

This parable teaches God turning away from the nation Israel and turning to the Gentiles. The Messiah had been sent to them, but the religious leaders had rejected Him. God then turns to the Gentiles and in the parable not a seat is left empty. Notice the servants brought in the “good and bad alike.” What will the king do with those who are not properly prepared to come to the wedding feast? 

REFLECT 

Thank the Lord that the door of salvation has been thrown wide open for you.  

RESPOND 

Visit with another believer about explaining salvation to someone. Explain that Jesus died to provide a pardon to deliver anyone—past, present or future—from condemnation. A pardon must be accepted, however, for it to be effective. Those who reject Jesus’ pardon will not be delivered from condemnation, as John 3:18 warns.  

Few are Chosen 

READ 

Matthew 22:11-14 

11 “But when the king came in to meet the guests, he noticed a man who wasn’t wearing the proper clothes for a wedding. 12 ‘Friend,’ he asked, ‘how is it that you are here without wedding clothes?’ But the man had no reply. 13 Then the king said to his aides, ‘Bind his hands and feet and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ 14 For many are called, but few are chosen.” 

Apparently proper clothing was provided as the people came in from off the streets, but this one had not accepted what was provided. Salvation has been made available to all—many are called—but some reject what has been provided and their destiny will be separation from God.  

REFLECT 

Think how horrible it would be to leave this life without having trusted in Jesus as Savior and be separated from God for eternity.  

RESPOND 

Discuss with a friend how to explain, “many are called, but few are chosen.” Realize there are two aspects to salvation; God draws the person to Himself as John 6:44 says. There must also be the individual’s response to the drawing, as John 6:37 says and no one who comes is rejected. God does not necessarily expect us to understand how all of this blends together; our responsibility is only to believe what His Word says.  

A Question About Taxes 

READ 

Matthew 22:15-17 

15 Then the Pharisees met together to plot how to trap Jesus into saying something for which he could be arrested. 16 They sent some of their disciples, along with the supporters of Herod, to meet with him. “Teacher,” they said, “we know how honest you are. You teach the way of God truthfully. You are impartial and don’t play favorites. 17 Now tell us what you think about this: Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” 

As usual, the religious leaders wanted to find some grounds to justify arresting Jesus. The Pharisees and supporters of Herod strongly disagreed with each other. They feigned spirituality by claiming to believe Jesus’ integrity. They asked a question they thought would surely trap Jesus. If He did not think it right to pay taxes to Caesar, it would offend the supporters of Herod. If Jesus said it was right, it might offend His Jewish followers who chafed under the Roman Empire. 

REFLECT 

Have you sometimes been caught not knowing how to answer a question because any answer would displease someone? Notice in the following verses how Jesus answered. 

RESPOND 

Jesus was the enemy of the religious leaders of Israel and of the Roman Empire. The example in these verses shows common enemies teaming up to trap Him no matter what His answer would be.  

The Picture on the Coin 

READ 

Matthew 22:18-20 

18 But Jesus knew their evil motives. “You hypocrites!” he said. “Why are you trying to trap me? 19 Here, show me the coin used for the tax.” When they handed him a Roman coin, 20 he asked, “Whose picture and title are stamped on it?” 

Notice how directly Jesus confronted the religious leaders and followers of Herod. He was patient with unbelievers but not with those who claimed to have integrity but did not. The coin Jesus was handed was a denarius. This was the common payment for a day’s wages. His question was simple and direct, “Whose picture and title are stamped on it?” The Jewish leaders would be reminded of the Roman Empire and the oppression they were under. 

REFLECT 

At this point, what do you think Jesus has in mind by asking this question? 

RESPOND 

Talk with a friend about how the Bible sometimes answers the questions you have if you keep reading. Sometimes the answer is in the next few verses as it is here; at other times it may be found later as Isaiah 7:14 and Matthew 1:22-23.