Easter ReflectionsSample

Jewish tradition held that it was the father's responsibility to arrange a wedding feast for his son. Addressing mainly the Jewish religious leaders in his audience (Matthew 21:45), Jesus tells a parable that employs the wedding feast analogy.

A certain king had thrown a wedding feast for his son. So, he sent his servants to call all who had been invited. However, all without exception declined. Having proven themselves unworthy, the king decided to send for all who weren't initially invited: "the good and the bad," till the wedding hall was filled with guests (Matthew 22:1-10).

The characters in this parable are used symbolically. The king symbolizes God, the king's son, Christ, and the invited guests, Israel's religious leaders. The feast, itself a symbol, represents the Kingdom of God (Matthew 8:11-12; Revelation 21:2, 7-9).

We see then that Jesus did not come only for a particular group of people. He did not come only for men of standing or knowledgeable scholars. But he came for all who would believe in him, for there is neither Jew nor Gentile, male nor female, slave nor free, but we are all one in Christ (Galatians 3:28).

The Pharisees and the Scribes, guilty of rejecting God for so long (killing even some of his prophets, as we see in Matthew 23:37), were by no means pleased with Jesus. They supposed themselves God's children based on their nationality and, even more, on their religious accomplishments. Nothing could be farther from the truth (Matthew 23:27-28).

Only those prepared (who wore wedding garments) belonged to the feast. As with the fellow thrown into a place of weeping and gnashing of teeth, so would those, as the religious leaders were, who leaned not on alien righteousness, but their own. God wants us to be clothed in the garment of salvation (Isaiah 61:10) to enter his feast, which he provides, rather than us earning our way in.

Have you believed in Jesus for your salvation? Have you heeded the call to come into the Kingdom of God? This Easter, ponder on the destiny of your soul, looking to Christ for your salvation and not within yourself.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of salvation. When I was the worst of sinners, you saved me. I repent of my sins and ask that you clothe me in righteousness. For this, I pray and believe in Jesus' name, Amen.