The Brinkley argus., 1914-08-21
INTERNATIONAL S()NNYSGlOOL.
 LESSON By E. o. SELLERS. Director of Evening Department, The Moody Bible Institute, Chtcago)
LESSON FOR AUGUST 23
THE WEDDING FEAST.

GOLDEN TEXT-"O Jerusalem Jeru- salem that killeth the prophets, and ston- est them that are sent unto her how often would I have gathered thy children to- gether. even as hen gathereth her own brood under wings, and ye would not" Luke IS R. V.
 To catch the full significance of this parable which is alone recorded by Matthew we need to be moro or less familiar with the Jewish pride of race and their feeling of superiority over all "heathen" or outsiders. and the his tory of their treatment of Gods rep resentatives, the prophets.
 Following upon the parable referred to in our last lesson the Pharisees per ceived that Jesus spake of them and they sought to arrest him (ch 21:46).
 In this lesson the figure of the king dom is changed from g vineyard to 2 feast.
 Relation to HIs People.
 l. Tho kInp's Invitation Rejected, w. 1-7. The change of figure just re- ferred to suggests not alone an occa- sion of festal joy duke 14:16), but also Christ's relation to his people, which is that of husband to his wife Che being the son referred to, see Cor. 11:12; Eph. 5:24-32; John 3:29). These Jewish leaders and their nation were first to be invited to the mar riage. This had been done by the prophets of old and later by John the Baptizer Under this figure of mar riage our Lord speaks of three differ ent invitations. The first one was re- ceived with indifference, but indiffer- ence never removes responsibility. The second invitation was received with hostility. Nothing moro fully reveals the foolishness and hardness of the human heart than the way in which men treat the gracious invita- tions of Gods love.
 Wonderful indeed is the forbearance of God. The sin of rejecting the cross, Gods offer of grace, is immeasurably greater than that incurred by those Jews who rejected the Man of Cali lee"
 Question of Worthlness.
 II. Tho king's invitation Accepted, w. e-1o. Those invited had judged themselves mot worthy" Now go to the parting of the ways where people congregate and gather them in." Our worthiness is in that we accept. and If we reject we are mot worthy" This command to go outside was prophecy of the time when the .Gentiles should likewise be "partakers of grace"
 Those who finally accepted the kings invitation were both good and bad (v 10), but the act of acceptance was not an assurance of position as we can see from the last part of the parable. It is sad to think of the many servants of the king who have neg lected his command thus to go forth and recruit the banquet feast. Final ly (v 10) we read that "the wedding was filled" Heaven will not be an empty place. Rev. 7:914.
 lIi. Tho Unprepared Guest, w. 1f-14. Every guest was scrutinized by the king. It was a strange sight to see one who had neglected to avail him. self of the garment freely provided in which to appear on such an occasion. This robe is symbolical of the robe of righteousness with which God will clothe all who accept his invitation. Isa. 61:10; Rev. 1917. 8; Eph. ABA; Rom. 1914. For this man to present himself clothed in his own garment was to insult the king. so our own righteousness is as filthy rags" in his sight, Isa. GAG; Phil. 3:9 R. V. When questioned about this act ofiinsolence the guest was speeches." So like wise will all unbelievers stand one day before the great king.
 The Teaching of this parable en- phasizee our privileges in the king dom of God. A full realization of that Kingdom means joy. gladness and per feet satisfaction. On a previous occar sion Jesus gave up the parable of the Great Supper which so much resem- bles this. Both of thesesparables have to do with the attitude of men to the Gospel invitation. There Is the further emphasis upon the nature of the an swer of men to this invitation. The first is that of men who are blind to the glory and beauty of that which Is offered to them, thoMgh their refusal was not final. Men, still blind, treat this invitation contemptuously and turn to their own interests. seeking satisfaction, while others shamefuliy treat the kings messengers. This treatment is followed by swift 1udg- ment Once more thetinvitation and and a mixed company are gathered some with worthy and ssome with un- worthy motives.
 The Masters final words (v. 14) em- phasize service and responsibility The call was an open, general univer' sal one. Those chosen were not only those who came but those who accept ed the conditions laid down. The ID different, or hostile. and those who ac' cepted unworthily were rejected.
 The Golden Text reveals the heart of the Lord. He deals in sure 1udg' ment; still his purpose' and desire IS to protect and to gather the children safe from all harm. The doom or the city was pronounced upon 1t as the result of its refusal te1aoceDt thu ~ purposA