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14. For many are called, but few are chosen.Matthew 22:14. Jesus tells a story about God's kingdom, the invitation to salvation, and being spiritually ready. A king prepared a magnificent feast to honor his son's wedding, sending out invitations. Those invited refused to come. The king punished the city because of all who rejected the invitation. Now the king sends his servants to bring anyone they can find to fill the banquet hall. The king finds a guest without a wedding garment and has him cast out into the darkness, saying, "Many are called, but few are chosen." The King is the Almighty Father; the Son is Christ, the bridegroom of the Church. The wedding feast is the kingdom of heaven and all of God's blessings. The servants are those who spread the gospel. The first guests are the Jewish leaders. The second are anyone who accepted Christ. The man cast out is a picture of those invited to honor Christ but who refuse to repent and cover themselves in Christ's righteousness. The outer darkness is eternal separation from God, the final judgment. Christ invites all to be part of the kingdom. Rejection has eternal consequences. Accepting the invitation means we come to God on His terms, because our way leads to destruction. Amen.