Making Light Of The King's Bidding
Matthew 22:1-14
James E. Farley
Our Lord was the Master Teacher, and He employed various methods of teaching the truth. (John 8:31-32). One of these methods was the parable. A parable tells a story and gives a lesson with events that either have happened or could have happened. On the other hand, a fable offers a lesson using make-believe things such as trees seeking a king to rule over them. Furthermore, a parable, especially the parables of our Lord, had a way of putting the hearer in the middle of the story, and often he would not realize it until the end of the parable. He would conclude, “Hey … he’s talking about me!”
In Matthew chapter twenty-two, Jesus used a parable to foretell the condition and the ultimate outcome of those Jews who would reject the Son of God. Jesus revealed how the God of heaven deals with those who are contemptuous, ungrateful, and unfaithful. God is good, kind, and loving, but He is also severe and just. (Compare Romans 11:22).
The story-line of this parable concerns a King who made a marriage feast for his son and, then, sent his servants out to call all those who had been bidden when everything was prepared. Notice that those who were called to the feast had already received an invitation; they had already been bidden. They should have been prepared. They had been invited to this feast by the great King himself, but they treated his invitation with contempt. They considered it as something of little worth. “But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise.”
Think of that! These reprobate subjects thought more of their possessions and making more money than they did of the great King’s invitation to his son’s marriage feast! I wonder. As YOU read this parable of Jesus, did you see YOURSELF? You see, the parable is as applicable to our day and age as it was for those in Jesus’ day. There are countless millions who make light of sacred things, of things deserving our highest regard. It would be good for us to apply 2 Corinthians 13:5 and “examine ourselves.”
Many who are reading this article realize that the denominational world makes light of the church of Christ. Matthew 16:16-18; Acts 20:28; Ephesians 5:25. They do not regard the Lord’s prayer of John 17:20-21 as of any consequence, for they divide and sub-divide into hundreds of differing groups in direct contradiction to His prayer for ONENESS. They have no regard for the sacredness of God’s plan of salvation, and even “make light of it” as they ridicule us for contending that baptism is essential for one’s salvation. Compare Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:37-38.
There are also many members of the church of Christ who make light of the church. These care little about the work and purity of the church, and they go about in their own selfish ways. Many do not attend services as they should. Many do not give of their means as they should. Many will not get involved in the work of the congregation, but will sit on the side-lines and ridicule those who are working.
There are those, in and out of the church, who make light of God’s teaching concerning marriage. God says that marriage is honorable, sacred, and right. Hebrews 13:4. Many people disrespect God’s will and show great contempt for God by living together outside of marriage and having children out of wedlock. Others divorce for any or for no cause at all, when God has clearly stated that the ONLY reason for a divorce is fornication. Matthew 19:9. In our society, we have those who contend for “same sex” marriages. Homosexuals need to understand that “God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” Galatians 6:7-8.
Please, do not make light of that which is truly deserving of our highest respect. -1179 Mark Wayne Drive, Louisa, Kentucky 41230. preechfarley@yahoo.com