They made light of it . . .
Gary Waddell • Victory Ministries Middle Tennessee • 5/27/2020
But they made light of it, and went their ways,
one to his farm, another to his merchandise:
(Matt 22:5)
Jesus spoke in parables often to provoke a deeper thinking and as a way of illustrating divine truths. And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given (Matt 13:10-11). Most of the Jews wouldn’t listen to him or take the time to see who Jesus was. Their eye’s were blinded. They were too busy and unbelieving. Jesus was ‘standing at the door’ and yet they were more concerned with the things of this world (Rev 3:20). Does this sound familiar to you?? It should. Multitudes are rejecting Jesus today. The reason that sinners will not come to Christ and His glorious salvation through Him, is not because they can’t, it is because they won’t (John 5:40). But as ‘servants,’ we must never be deterred by someone rejecting Christ. It happens tens of thousands of times each day. Note that in verse 5 of Matt 22, there is mention of a “farm” and of “merchandise”. So you see, whether one is in the country or the city, there will be rejection of Jesus Christ. It is a tragic thing that people “make light” of the Creator. Note: And some took the king’s servants and treated them badly. It happens. Don’t allow anyone to “douse your fire.”
The king sent messengers out (he sent them at least twice) throughout the kingdom to tell people of the upcoming marriage of his son but most were too busy. And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come (Matt 22:1-3). Now we know by reading further, that most “made light” of this event. They could not even spend one day out of their lives to honor the king’s son. Just a few hours of their lives. The same is as today. “So, then, the king in this parable had long ago sent out his invitations; but it was not till everything was prepared that the final summons was issued – and insultingly refused” (Barclay). The King was insulted! Matthew Henry states “Making light of Christ, and of the great salvation wrought out by him, is the damning sin of the world. Ameleμsantes - They were careless”.
We are the servants, sent out to invite as many as we can to the ‘feast’. They can't go unless they are born again. (John 3:3) We have to tell them. We may not be able to convince those who are lost, however, the Bible tells us as servants, to “go” (Mark 16:15) and that’s our job. Stay close to God and He will prepare you. We cannot take our job lightly. God’s word will do the rest. Many are perishing as I assemble this message – and as the ‘king’ in the parable, sent his servants out a second time, we need to not give up the first time. This is all about a matter of telling them about the gospel of Christ. We need to “speak to the careless” and let them know about the “marriage supper of the Lamb”. Jesus again, told us to ‘go’. "And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled” (Luke 14:8). If your close family, friends or neighbors will not listen; go out and tell strangers. We pretty much know who is “making light” of the gospel. God has given us as “followers of Christ,” that discernment. Jesus said “if any man serve me, him will my Father honor” (John 12:26b).
Let us go forth boldly and invite the multitudes to the “supper.”
Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God ( Rev 19:9).
Jesus prepared a place for those if only they would receive Him
(John 14:2) (John 1:12-13).
Thanks for “Taking 5" • Gary Waddell • Victory Ministries Middle Tennessee
iamnotashamed.com • God bless and bless God