21st Sunday after Pentecost
October 9, 2005
Vicar Monterastelli
Text: Matthew 22:1-14
Grace Mercy and Peace be to you from God our Father through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
The Gospel lesson appointed for today is another parable of Jesus. As always, His parables serve to reveal spiritual truths through common, earthly images. It is the same service He endeavors to provide for you today.
The main point of this parable of Jesus is to help us realize the importance of hearing His Word and receiving His eternal Kingdom. We serve God by receiving His Word, both verbal and visible. There is no greater service we can render. The Son, in whom the heavenly Father is well-pleased, speaks to you through His Word. As you listen, rest assured, you need no thing else on earth. This is the one thing needful!
The parable today is about a king who gives. He gives a wedding feast for his son. He kills the fattened calves and oxen. He fills every lamp full of oil with extra in reserve. He provides plenty of the choicest wine for everyone. He has prepared everything — even the personalized invitations and the wedding garments.
Throughout the Gospels and Epistles, as we listen to Jesus, we begin to notice a pattern in His teaching. He seems to love using weddings to describe the kingdom of Heaven. In teaching us to look toward Him for our hope, Jesus continually uses wedding images. Knowing He introduced Eve to Adam , I can begin to see why. In the presence of God and all creation, the Word of God spoke to Adam. “It is not good for you to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for you.” Then, upon seeing his beautiful bride, Adam publicly proclaimed his wedding sermon. “This is now bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh. She shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of man.” His wife took the name Adam gave her. And, as the Lord intended, the two became one flesh. “And God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good.” As simple as it was, it was a perfect wedding. No shirt, no shoes, no garments were needed for this wedding. They were naked and they were not ashamed.
No wedding since has been perfect! No wedding since has had a sinless Bride and a sinless Groom! Since the Fall, shame has accompanied our nakedness. Since the Fall, wedding garments are a needful thing.
The king in Jesus’ parable gave a wedding for his son. He had also given many things for the benefit of his subjects. He gave them law and order, protection and land to grow crops and raise cattle. Without the gifts of the king, there would be no farms or businesses to care for. All the earthly gifts which his people enjoyed depended on the services the king provided.
So why didn’t the invited guests listen? Why did they respond with violence against his faithful messengers? The king sent, and re-sent, his servants to proclaim the message that the wedding feast was ready and waiting. “Eat it while it’s hot!” Who could refuse such a gracious offer? Such a noble communal event? Not only did one go home and one back to work, but the rest bound, tortured and killed the messengers.
“The Kingdom of Heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son”, but the invited guests would not come. This king is not just some Smarty who threw a party. He is the giver of all. But since the invited guests would not come, the king opened the wedding feast to everyone his servants could find in the streets — everyone who was willing to receive the king’s invitation and to wear what the king provided.
According to the parable, the wedding guests (whether evil or good) must wear a special garment to remain at the feast. Without this wedding garment, an outsider’s presence cannot be tolerated. A guest is not free to rely on his own judgment of appropriate attire. He cannot rely on the work of his hands. He cannot rely on his way of walking in the world. He must submit to wearing the garment made especially for the wedding of the king’s son.
Since one guest did not, the king had his hands and feet bound and cast him to the outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. He may have known where to come to see the festivities and enjoy the celebration, but he did not really want to be there. He did not wear the wedding garment. He did not confess the same faith. He was there on his terms. As good as he may have thought himself to be, he was not fit for the feast.
But what kind of king,
No! Enough with the metaphor.
Let’s speak plainly here.
What kind of god expects me to be something I’m not?
What kind of god tells me I’m not good enough just the way I am?
Why, He is the same God who made His own Son something He was not. He is the same God who made His Son put on our sinful flesh. He is the same God who gives you more than you have ever deserved. He is the same God who stood in the filthy water of the Jordan and let Himself be Baptized in it. He is the God who loves you with an everlasting love. He is the God who sent His Son to, not only prepare the feast but, to be the one eternally feasted upon. As well-aged wine and rich food full of marrow, as aged wine well refined; so is the feast of our Lord. He let His Son pay the deadly cost of your sin with His own life. He is the same God who witnessed the first wedding between an absolutely shameless man and woman. He is the same God who witnessed the shame-filled death of His Son. He removes the veil of death and wipes away tears from all faces. He takes away the reproach of his people. For the Lord has spoken. God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. To prepare the wedding garments for His eternal wedding feast, the garments of Jesus were torn from His body. He was bound, tortured and killed — cast into the outer darkness, for the sake of His beloved bride. On Mount Calvary, He swallowed up death forever!
In Christ, you are now clothed with His righteousness. In the Kingdom of Heaven, both now and in eternity, that wedding garment is Christ’s righteousness. This is the same righteousness which the heavenly King gives you in the Baptism He made holy through His Word. With the faith given by the same Word of God in Baptism and Holy Communion, you are wearing His wedding garment.
The Father of the Bridegroom has prepared His fattened calves and oxen. Jesus, on whom we feast in Holy Communion, has prepared Himself for you. He has prepared Himself for all who are baptized and who believe. We who are united in the same proclamation of His death, share His feast at this altar. He has prepared you for this meal by giving you the garment of His holiness. He has clothed you with the garments of salvation. With the wedding garments of His faith and righteousness, we have been prepared to take and feast.
You are a citizen of His Kingdom by virtue of His invitation. It doesn’t matter if you were good or bad. In His forgiveness, you are His. He has bought you. That is what matters. What you are replaces what you were. But you are still in a foreign land, traveling, eager to return home for your Prince’s wedding feast. There is temptation along the way. Many beckon to you from the outer darkness. The lights are awful bright. As red as they are, you almost get used to them. Be warned. Be vigilant in prayer. Forsake the ways of men. Hold fast to the ways of God. For God has placed ‘way stations’ like this \ / along the way for you, places of His presence, of His Word and Sacrament, of His regenerating love; places for you to be re-broken and rebound, to be recast and recovered, to be reconnected with the saints who have gone before you, and forgiven again. God is here for you. You are in the right place.
And still, there is one more surprise of Grace. For when at last you arrive at the wedding feast, you will find that you are not merely a guest, an honored niece or nephew, even a brother of the Bridegroom. You are the very Bride, the one for whom He did it all, the one He loves.
Now the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
THE PRAYERS
Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
For faith to live in the promises of Holy Baptism, for purity of heart and life, for strength to love and serve our neighbor, let us pray to the Lord; Lord, have mercy.
For those who have never heard the Gospel and for those who have forsaken the faith once delivered to the Church, that the light of God’s love in Christ may enlighten all darkness, let us pray to the Lord; Lord, have mercy.
For our nation and those who lead it, that they provide for the needs of all citizens, for leaders of other nations, that they work diligently for the cause of peace and justice, let us pray to the Lord; Lord, have mercy.
For good commerce in our land, that those who trade and do business might do so with honesty and integrity; especially for those who work in the Gulf states, that rebuilding and employment efforts may benefit those who have lost homes and livelihood, let us pray to the Lord; Lord, have mercy.
In thanksgiving for our daily bread, that our hearts never take for granted God’s merciful gifts of shelter and safety and food and employment and family, let us pray to the Lord; Lord, have mercy.
For those who offer gifts this day, that from the bounties given to us by the Lord, we would gladly give our first fruits back to Him; For hearts that rejoice in opportunities for Gospel proclamation and charitable assistance, let us pray to the Lord; Lord, have mercy.
For those who are ill or receiving treatment, especially Paul and Bruce, for those confined to their homes or centers of care, that God would great healing and help, that in the midst of all trials they would give thanks for God’s mercies which are new every morning, let us pray to the Lord; Lord, have mercy.
For those who travel, especially Winnie and family members that God would make our ways safe and our homecomings joyful, and bring us at last to our heavenly home; let us pray to the Lord, Lord, have mercy.
In thanksgiving for God’s gift of marriage and the celebration of a marriage anniversary for Mike and Winnie; that God would bless them and all husbands and wives among us with love in Christ that grows stronger through every joy and sorrow shared; let us pray to the Lord, Lord, have mercy.
For our youth, that they may find friends among people faithful to Christ, that they may be strengthened in chastity and the prayerful choosing of a spouse, that the Bride of Christ may reflect the love of Her Bridegroom in this culture of decay, let us pray to the Lord; Lord, have mercy.
For those burdened with sin, that at God’s invitation they may experience His love at the heavenly feast He has prepared for His children on earth. That He would preserve us from impenitence and unbelief, increase our love and hope, and assure us a place at His heavenly table where we will eat eternal manna and drink of the river of His pleasure forever and ever, let us pray to the Lord; Lord, have mercy.
Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. AMEN.
Vicar Monterastelli
Text: Matthew 22:1-14
Grace Mercy and Peace be to you from God our Father through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
The Gospel lesson appointed for today is another parable of Jesus. As always, His parables serve to reveal spiritual truths through common, earthly images. It is the same service He endeavors to provide for you today.
The main point of this parable of Jesus is to help us realize the importance of hearing His Word and receiving His eternal Kingdom. We serve God by receiving His Word, both verbal and visible. There is no greater service we can render. The Son, in whom the heavenly Father is well-pleased, speaks to you through His Word. As you listen, rest assured, you need no thing else on earth. This is the one thing needful!
The parable today is about a king who gives. He gives a wedding feast for his son. He kills the fattened calves and oxen. He fills every lamp full of oil with extra in reserve. He provides plenty of the choicest wine for everyone. He has prepared everything — even the personalized invitations and the wedding garments.
Throughout the Gospels and Epistles, as we listen to Jesus, we begin to notice a pattern in His teaching. He seems to love using weddings to describe the kingdom of Heaven. In teaching us to look toward Him for our hope, Jesus continually uses wedding images. Knowing He introduced Eve to Adam , I can begin to see why. In the presence of God and all creation, the Word of God spoke to Adam. “It is not good for you to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for you.” Then, upon seeing his beautiful bride, Adam publicly proclaimed his wedding sermon. “This is now bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh. She shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of man.” His wife took the name Adam gave her. And, as the Lord intended, the two became one flesh. “And God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good.” As simple as it was, it was a perfect wedding. No shirt, no shoes, no garments were needed for this wedding. They were naked and they were not ashamed.
No wedding since has been perfect! No wedding since has had a sinless Bride and a sinless Groom! Since the Fall, shame has accompanied our nakedness. Since the Fall, wedding garments are a needful thing.
The king in Jesus’ parable gave a wedding for his son. He had also given many things for the benefit of his subjects. He gave them law and order, protection and land to grow crops and raise cattle. Without the gifts of the king, there would be no farms or businesses to care for. All the earthly gifts which his people enjoyed depended on the services the king provided.
So why didn’t the invited guests listen? Why did they respond with violence against his faithful messengers? The king sent, and re-sent, his servants to proclaim the message that the wedding feast was ready and waiting. “Eat it while it’s hot!” Who could refuse such a gracious offer? Such a noble communal event? Not only did one go home and one back to work, but the rest bound, tortured and killed the messengers.
“The Kingdom of Heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son”, but the invited guests would not come. This king is not just some Smarty who threw a party. He is the giver of all. But since the invited guests would not come, the king opened the wedding feast to everyone his servants could find in the streets — everyone who was willing to receive the king’s invitation and to wear what the king provided.
According to the parable, the wedding guests (whether evil or good) must wear a special garment to remain at the feast. Without this wedding garment, an outsider’s presence cannot be tolerated. A guest is not free to rely on his own judgment of appropriate attire. He cannot rely on the work of his hands. He cannot rely on his way of walking in the world. He must submit to wearing the garment made especially for the wedding of the king’s son.
Since one guest did not, the king had his hands and feet bound and cast him to the outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. He may have known where to come to see the festivities and enjoy the celebration, but he did not really want to be there. He did not wear the wedding garment. He did not confess the same faith. He was there on his terms. As good as he may have thought himself to be, he was not fit for the feast.
But what kind of king,
No! Enough with the metaphor.
Let’s speak plainly here.
What kind of god expects me to be something I’m not?
What kind of god tells me I’m not good enough just the way I am?
Why, He is the same God who made His own Son something He was not. He is the same God who made His Son put on our sinful flesh. He is the same God who gives you more than you have ever deserved. He is the same God who stood in the filthy water of the Jordan and let Himself be Baptized in it. He is the God who loves you with an everlasting love. He is the God who sent His Son to, not only prepare the feast but, to be the one eternally feasted upon. As well-aged wine and rich food full of marrow, as aged wine well refined; so is the feast of our Lord. He let His Son pay the deadly cost of your sin with His own life. He is the same God who witnessed the first wedding between an absolutely shameless man and woman. He is the same God who witnessed the shame-filled death of His Son. He removes the veil of death and wipes away tears from all faces. He takes away the reproach of his people. For the Lord has spoken. God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. To prepare the wedding garments for His eternal wedding feast, the garments of Jesus were torn from His body. He was bound, tortured and killed — cast into the outer darkness, for the sake of His beloved bride. On Mount Calvary, He swallowed up death forever!
In Christ, you are now clothed with His righteousness. In the Kingdom of Heaven, both now and in eternity, that wedding garment is Christ’s righteousness. This is the same righteousness which the heavenly King gives you in the Baptism He made holy through His Word. With the faith given by the same Word of God in Baptism and Holy Communion, you are wearing His wedding garment.
The Father of the Bridegroom has prepared His fattened calves and oxen. Jesus, on whom we feast in Holy Communion, has prepared Himself for you. He has prepared Himself for all who are baptized and who believe. We who are united in the same proclamation of His death, share His feast at this altar. He has prepared you for this meal by giving you the garment of His holiness. He has clothed you with the garments of salvation. With the wedding garments of His faith and righteousness, we have been prepared to take and feast.
You are a citizen of His Kingdom by virtue of His invitation. It doesn’t matter if you were good or bad. In His forgiveness, you are His. He has bought you. That is what matters. What you are replaces what you were. But you are still in a foreign land, traveling, eager to return home for your Prince’s wedding feast. There is temptation along the way. Many beckon to you from the outer darkness. The lights are awful bright. As red as they are, you almost get used to them. Be warned. Be vigilant in prayer. Forsake the ways of men. Hold fast to the ways of God. For God has placed ‘way stations’ like this \ / along the way for you, places of His presence, of His Word and Sacrament, of His regenerating love; places for you to be re-broken and rebound, to be recast and recovered, to be reconnected with the saints who have gone before you, and forgiven again. God is here for you. You are in the right place.
And still, there is one more surprise of Grace. For when at last you arrive at the wedding feast, you will find that you are not merely a guest, an honored niece or nephew, even a brother of the Bridegroom. You are the very Bride, the one for whom He did it all, the one He loves.
Now the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
THE PRAYERS
Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
For faith to live in the promises of Holy Baptism, for purity of heart and life, for strength to love and serve our neighbor, let us pray to the Lord; Lord, have mercy.
For those who have never heard the Gospel and for those who have forsaken the faith once delivered to the Church, that the light of God’s love in Christ may enlighten all darkness, let us pray to the Lord; Lord, have mercy.
For our nation and those who lead it, that they provide for the needs of all citizens, for leaders of other nations, that they work diligently for the cause of peace and justice, let us pray to the Lord; Lord, have mercy.
For good commerce in our land, that those who trade and do business might do so with honesty and integrity; especially for those who work in the Gulf states, that rebuilding and employment efforts may benefit those who have lost homes and livelihood, let us pray to the Lord; Lord, have mercy.
In thanksgiving for our daily bread, that our hearts never take for granted God’s merciful gifts of shelter and safety and food and employment and family, let us pray to the Lord; Lord, have mercy.
For those who offer gifts this day, that from the bounties given to us by the Lord, we would gladly give our first fruits back to Him; For hearts that rejoice in opportunities for Gospel proclamation and charitable assistance, let us pray to the Lord; Lord, have mercy.
For those who are ill or receiving treatment, especially Paul and Bruce, for those confined to their homes or centers of care, that God would great healing and help, that in the midst of all trials they would give thanks for God’s mercies which are new every morning, let us pray to the Lord; Lord, have mercy.
For those who travel, especially Winnie and family members that God would make our ways safe and our homecomings joyful, and bring us at last to our heavenly home; let us pray to the Lord, Lord, have mercy.
In thanksgiving for God’s gift of marriage and the celebration of a marriage anniversary for Mike and Winnie; that God would bless them and all husbands and wives among us with love in Christ that grows stronger through every joy and sorrow shared; let us pray to the Lord, Lord, have mercy.
For our youth, that they may find friends among people faithful to Christ, that they may be strengthened in chastity and the prayerful choosing of a spouse, that the Bride of Christ may reflect the love of Her Bridegroom in this culture of decay, let us pray to the Lord; Lord, have mercy.
For those burdened with sin, that at God’s invitation they may experience His love at the heavenly feast He has prepared for His children on earth. That He would preserve us from impenitence and unbelief, increase our love and hope, and assure us a place at His heavenly table where we will eat eternal manna and drink of the river of His pleasure forever and ever, let us pray to the Lord; Lord, have mercy.
Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. AMEN.
posted by Luther Memorial Chapel at
10/15/2005
