I found some notes on a sermon Matt preached a few years ago about The Marriage Feast, Matt 22:2-14. We were asked; Are you ready? How does your wedding garment look? What preparations do you make? He used an earthly wedding ceremony as an example: all the work put into it, all the saving up for it, the planning, what to choose for that day, the time spent on all the planning, preparation, and the work done on that day itself, and the picking out of the “dress”. It was pointed out how so much focus is on the “dress”. Bridal shops go as far as taking the bride-to-be’s picture with a sign saying “I said Yes to the dress.” This puts all of the emphasis on the dress. Some may even ask what makes the dress so extremely important. For the bride her dress is the focal point.

Then we were asked, do we put the same amount of time, preparation, thought and focus on our wedding garment with our Lord? Do we spend the same amount of time preparing, putting together every detail for that day? Do we “invite” every single person we can think of? Do we put all of the emphasis on our wedding garment making the “dress” the focal point? On that day when we stand before our Lord, will we have on a pristine wedding garment? Or will we be without a wedding garment? Will we be ready for The Marriage Feast? “And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, 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 unto the marriage. But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. 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. 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. 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. For many are called, but few are chosen.” Matt 22:1-14 KJV

Lord God, please forgive me for not seeing the full potential of this parable. For not realizing the truth and preparation that’s held within. Lord, You’ve really been dealing with me on being ready; for myself, my loved ones, for everyone. Teach me daily!