Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-09-09
SABBATH SCHOOL LESSON
For September II. Matt, 22:1-14
Golden Tex-"For many are called, 0ut rev are cnoSen
Matt, 22:14
By Dr. Marion McH. Hull

He took showed that He really desir-
ed their friendship and their fellow
ship.
Their treatment of the other servants
showed not only a thorough lack of APP
probation of the kings grace In invtt-
ing them to enjoy the pleasures of His
home, not only their utter indifference to
His courtesy, and lack OF desire for His
company, but also their real character.
They passed the merely rude stage to the
stage OF ridicule; the idea OF their having
any desire to be with Him, or to share
with Him in the pleasure of His sons
weddingi They cared a good deal more
for the farm and the store. And when
the servants continued to urge them to
come (for evidently they had been so
impressed by the king with His desire
to have the guests come that they did
this) they got mad, shamefully beat
them. and finally slew them so they
could not be worried by their invitation
any more.
1t seems too incongruous to be true,
does il not? Whoever heard Of any
body's refusing to accept an invitation
to any wedding reception, much more a
kings sons? Whoever heard of a sec
ond invitation being sent? Whoever
heard of the servants being treated In
such a cruel manner? But just here is
the point of the parable: its incongru-
ity is its force. No one appreciated the
force of IL more than these Pharisees
who had acted just this way, although
they hadn't realized II. God had been
immeasureably gracious to them; they
had not only not. rendered Him fruit,
but tn ey had shown an utter lack of ap-
probation of His grace. and very plain
~ that they did not desire His compan-
ionship. What was left for Him to do?
Nothing but to cast them into the outer
darkness, and invite others who would
care for His fellowship and appreciate
His provision.
UTTERLY UNAPPRECIATIvE.
It was very distasteful to these high
spirited and self-satisfied Jews to be
told that they would be rejected and
what they thought was the scum of the
earth to be taken in their place. But
ii was in the very odiousness of the
comparison that Jesus sought to enforce
the teaching to them. They disliked to
be told that God would extend the same
privilege of work and rejoicing to the
hated heath en-, the Gentiles.
But a word of caution is needed for
them. too; this is represented by the
man without the wedding garment. It
seems that he was the most unapprecia-
tive Of all. Without any claim whatever
to the friendship and fellowship of roy
atty, he had been graciously extended
tn csc privileges. Everything, even to
the wedding garment, mad been provided,
but he was so self-satisfied, so unap-
preciative Of the requirements OF the
occasion that he refused to take and
use the garment provided and went in
clothed in his dirty street clothes.
Possibly there are some today who
belong to that despised race, the Cen
tiles, who have been graciously accorded
the privileges of fellowship with God
who are so blind to the provision made
for us, so unappreciative OF the dignity
Of the King, and SO self-satisfied that
we have refused to put on the wedding
garment and make ourselves presenta-
BILE. 1t Ill behooves us to act thus. We
have no claim upon God; we deserve no.
thing at His hands. We have a large ac-
count against US OF sins committed, OF
failures to what q has a right to ex-
pect. In spite of this, He has been i'm
measureably gracious; He has made
every provision; He has invited us re-
peatedly when we have strangely re-
fused to rejoice with Him; have prefer
red business to fellowship with Him;
have ridiculed His servants and shame
fully entreated them. In spite of all
that, He has shown a great desire for
our companionship, strange as it may
seem, and a longing for US to share with
Him the joys of the kingdom.
What if we continue to be utterly I'M
appreciative? What more can He do?
Think this through carefully for your
self