The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-05-07
Sunday School Lesson for May g.
The rHarriage Feast.
Matt. XXI, 1-l4.
BY j. e. GILBERT, D. D., L. D.,
Secretary of American Society of Religious Education.

DISRESPECT.-The parable represents
that of those who answered this new call
ono was Unacceptable Cverse ~. lie ha1
entered without the robe of honor which
I'm the east the host provides for his
guests. These robes were an important
part of Oriental wealth Josh. vii. 2D. and
were given as signs OF peculiar favor
Gen. XIII 42). Hence, to enter on such
occasion without the robe was a mark of
disrespect to the host. The symbolic
meaning of the wedding garment has
been "a subject of considerable discussion.
Some Protestant writer's insist that ii
represents faith, the Romsh writers that
it represents charity Christ gives no in
depreciation. Here, He simply teaches
that though all, both bad and good. are
invited, there is n preparation needed Tor
admission into the kingdom of heaven.
In what that preparation consists, or how
IL is to be procured, He does not here
teach. But other passages of Scripture
answer these questions. our own right
eousness is as filthy rags lisa. Xiv, 81.
These He takes from US that He may
clothe us with garments OF salvation
duke XIV, 22. Without these garments or
holiness. the free gifts of God (Rev. ILL.,
lS), none can enter heaven tRev. xvi, 15).
REJECTION.--The king entering the
guest chamber, saw this one man who
lacked the proper apparel, and called him
to account for his presence in such con-
dition Verse l2). When the robe was
freely furnished, when custom and the
condition of others required its use. how
could he enter #? Surely he displayed
many offensive qualities, and stood
speechless with shame when questioned.
Immediately the king ordered the man to
be bound and to be cast out into the da rk-
ness of the night, where those who were
rejected would be filled with sorrow verse
| 1&. This part of the parable exhibits the
fate of all hypocritos. Men respond to
the invitation of the Gospel and rush
into church. laden with their sins. un-
mindful of the fact that new character
is required, that they may be cleaned
from their sins (Rev. VII, 40. that the
body of the church into which they enter
consists of people who have laid off the
old man and put on the new man CEph.
w. 20. But some day the King will come
to see the guests. Then nothing will cs-
cape His gaze. All these who are I'M
worthy will he arraiEned and exposed and
expelled. And in that hour, convinced of
! the righteousness of the judgment. they
will have no word Of apology to offer.
| CONCLTSION.--Thc fourteenth verse is
| the real text of the parable. MANY are
! called" First. the whole nation of the
| Jews, from the time of Abraham to the
time of Christ, millions of souls were in
| vitcd through the ceremonial obscrvanceS.
| Afterward, in all lands, wherever the glad
| tidings have been published. n generous
and earnest call has been extended by
word of mouth. which any and all might
accept CRev. xxi, 10, no one being CX-
cluded CActs ii, S9) How free. how fun.
how rich is the offer of the heavenly
Father to needy souls lisa. ". u. "Few
are chosen There is an election of Sc
lection. And that is based upon the con-
duct and character of those invited. They
who come i'm their sins, desiring the honor
and pleasure of fellowship with saints
J but Clinging to their old lives. will be
cast out. Let no one mistake. People OF
this class. the indifferent, the scoffcrs, the
! sinful, shall all be rejected. But a small
company CMatt. vii, l4, some of then
Jews and some of them Gentiles wht
hear the voice that calls and who responc
by making themselves ready. or rather
by receiving tho free gift, these shall en-
ter In to enjoy the blessings of the king
dom Matt, Xxv, 80.