In the King’s Presence

Is God partial?

In a wedding parable, Jesus justifies a king for casting out a poor guest. Is there no respect of persons in God’s kingdom?

I learned at an early age that Jesus would not reject me. As a child, I imagined him wearing a white robe, arms outstretched, patiently waiting for me to accept his invitation to discipleship. After all, he promised: “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” (John 6:37). I grew up with this assurance and hope.

“Come as you are!” Christians routinely recite this old saying. If God says that he would never fail us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5), why does the king in Jesus’s parable cast out the underdressed man?

Is God the king in this parable?

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U.S. Senate Dress Code

The recent Senate dress code fiasco reminds me of the wedding parable in Matthew 22. Despite a longstanding tradition, the Senate Majority leader relaxed the professional dress code, allowing Senators to participate in proceedings wearing casual attire. Nevertheless, fellow senators quickly and unanimously overturned the new rule.

From job interviews—to funerals—to the U.S. Senate, people show respect by dressing appropriately for the occasion. Anyone who refuses to follow the dress code may be ejected. Nevertheless, some people show up underdressed, thinking they are doing the host or employer a favor.

The King’s Terms

Jesus invites all to come to him, giving the poor, hungry, and heavy-laden rest. However, in his parable, a poor guest receives an invitation only to be rejected upon arrival. In fact, the king orders his servants to cast him into outer darkness, damning him for eternity!

God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34), nor does he contradict himself. Then, how do we reconcile the wedding parable with his nature? Consider this—a person may receive an invitation to an event, but depending on his attire and conduct, he may be asked to leave. Likewise, Jesus invites everyone to rest, but some may ultimately be cast out. Yes, we have been invited to God’s feast, but only under certain conditions. We cannot attend God’s reception on our terms.

Quite simply, the underdressed guest offends the king by neglecting to change clothes. In other words, he refuses to change himself. His clothes represent his resistant attitude in the king’s presence.

The Wedding Parable

While Jesus ministered in Jerusalem, the chief priests and Pharisees tried to undermine him with trick questions. Trying to trap him in blasphemy, they challenged his teachings and authority, only to be left dumbfounded at every turn. Even as the people blessed Jesus, the elders grew bitter, jealous, and resentful.

Though the Pharisees became more antagonistic with each teaching, Jesus continued to recite parables directed at them. In Matthew 22 , he tells the story of a king who prepares a lavish wedding feast for his son:

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:

Matthew 22:1-5

The king had invited all the right people, and the gourmet menu had been prepared! Sadly, his friends not only decline his wedding invitation, but they also kill his messenger-servants. Even more, they reject his son. Angry but determined, he orders other servants to search the streets and bring in whoever would respond to his call.

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.

Matthew 22:10

This time, the king sends out an open invitation, and a motley array of guests from all over the kingdom arrived: the good, the bad, and the questionable. In a room full of downtrodden guests, it is surprising that the king would notice anyone in particular; however, one underdressed guest catches his eye:

And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.

Matthew 22:12

The Poor Man Did Not Change

Judging by his ragged attire, the man put no forth effort despite having been invited to the king’s court. He offends the king, not because he is poor, but because he is irreverent.

Certainly, the king invited the man at the last minute, and certainly the king knows the man cannot afford a new garment. The poor man, undoubtedly, lives on the street. How did the king expect him show up?

Interestingly, among hundreds of poor guests, the king calls this man out. The other guests must have dressed honorably, as best they could. Not in glittery gowns and fine tunics, they adorned themselves with respect in the king’s presence. The text, thus, implies that the man could have changed clothes had he wanted to. He becomes speechless because the king sees through his rags, straight into his obstinate heart.

We do not get the luxury of bending God’s dress code—the Word—to suit our fancy. God’s sets the expectations and then we meet them.

Shabby-Hearted in the King’s Presence

We cannot bring the streets to the king’s court; that is, we cannot bring our sinful nature into God’s presence and expect to freely dine at his glorious table. Just as we dress the part for job interviews, dinner parties, and client meetings, God expects us to change for him:

And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Ephesians 4:24

The chief priests and Pharisees were the right people. They pranced around in long robes, loving to be publicly recognized and revered, but Jesus could see right through them—they were hypocrites who claimed to know God but did not recognize his Son. Instead, they berated and harassed the Messiah, ultimately inciting his death. On the other hand, street people recognized the honor in receiving the king’s invitation, and they dressed accordingly.

Do not get it twisted, we are as shabby-hearted today as the Pharisees and the poor wedding guest. Some Christians hide sin under long robes and perfect church attendance, yet Jesus is a stranger to them. Sadly, they trust in themselves (Luke 18:9), just like the self-righteous elders of old.

Others wear their sins like stubborn rags, refusing to change, even though God’s Word commands it:

But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

Romans 13:14

Some Christians think they are doing God a favor by showing up, that is, by wearing the Christian label. Ask those same Christians to carry their cross (Luke 9:23) and contend for the faith (Jude 1:3) they become speechless, just like the self-centered poor man at the king’s court.

God Does Not Change

God has prepared a feast and invites all who will beckon his call. Those who reject his Son, however, will be utterly cast out, and those who do not change will be utterly rejected. The wedding invitations have gone out; the printed words are settled in heaven (Psalm 119:89). God does not change; his people do.

We cannot expect God to lower his expectations because we do not feel like changing. If we want to eat at his table, then we must ask him how to dress for the occasion. No doubt, he would remind us of the Prophet Isaiah:

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

Isaiah 61:10

All whom the Father gives unto Jesus will not be cast out. And so, many are called, but few are chosen (Matthew 22:14). We had better dress the part.