Shepherd of the Springs
Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod

          But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment.  And he said to him, “friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?”  And he was speechless.  Then the king said to the attendants, “Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness.  In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.  For many are called, but few are chosen.

           This evening we consider the fourth of our Lenten penitential meditations based on parables of our Lord. Our focus with each of these parables has sought to identify a common sin that attaches our sinful condition that can become an obstacle thwarting us from appreciating the passion of our Lord and the benefits He will work there for us and our salvation. This evening we would consider the universal symptoms of your fallen condition - the sin of pride.  Pride does not make a person indifferent to religion or religious matters. Rather pride seeks to mold religious considerations and interests to one’s own preferences, inclinations, and initiative. When it comes to addressing the fundamental challenges and issues of human existence - such as securing one’s future - pride requires it be done as Frank Sinatra sang about it: I did it my way!

           The parable that Jesus tells in our text for this evening ends as all His Kingdom parables do - with a punch line.  Many are called, but few are chosen. The first part of the parable identifies many what are called, but their lack of having been chosen is manifested by a stubborn refusal to consider the matter of the Lord’s call as something important - something that may rise above the mundane issues and appointments they have made connected with everyday life. Moreover, for some - even the invitation is such an irritant that they treat the servants and messengers of the Lord shamefully and even kill some of them. Such as these end up with an appointment in Hell even though it may not have been in their appointments calendar. But showing up or desiring to be there is not the whole story, nor is it the focus of this parable.  This parable does not dwell on those who do not show up, but rather it centers on one particular invited guest who shows up, but is improperly attired.  He doesn’t have the proper clothing - he isn’t wearing the wedding robe.  Therefore he is tossed out on his ear with the door slammed behind him.  This is a really tragic thing.  It is not simply that he misses out on a good party.  Its not that he now goes down to Wendy’s and has to settle for a bowl of chili, a big fry, and a Coke.  No, he is cast out into the outer darkness where people are gnashing their teeth in utter despair.  A vision of Hell is provided here for this poor fellow. In other words, showing up improperly attired is just as damning as not showing up at all.

           What can we understand about this fellow?  His desire to be at the wedding feast is shaped by his desire to do things in life his own way. For that reason, He desired to make his participation be a statement for the host and all present, wearing his own outfit rather than the required and provided wedding garment. It is not that he did not want to be a part of the wedding party . . . he just wanted it to be his own way . . . to set his own terms and make his own statement.  And this is just what the sin of pride can do when it comes to entering and participating with the heavenly bridegroom as he would join with his bride the Church. Pride dictates that we do things our way with ourselves, with others, and . . .with God. Pride wants to stand before God commended by all the things that are uniquely us. We want God to accept us on our terms, terms which, above all do not require our pride being swallowed or offended. Pride wishes to sing, Just as I am . . . but I have just a few pleas. Pride is willing to accept a helping hand, but cannot abide bleeding charity that must do it all in presenting us as acceptable to God. It is the bleeding charity of the crucified Christ that has provided the only garment that we can wear and be acceptable to the Great Feast of the Father. The blood of Christ has procured for us the robe of righteousness that covers our own scarlet sins for it is they that are present in the shed blood of Christ on the cross. And one of the chief sins that are covered and soaked with the blood of Christ is the sin of pride, the sin of my way or the highway . . . which, of course ends up being as the man in the parable, the highway to Hell!

           The only way we can stomach being adorned with the robe of divine donated dignity is to have our pride crushed by the demands of God’s demands of righteousness that show all our works as but filthy rags before his holiness and splendor.  Our pride seeks to hide our spiritual nakedness with all the things we take pride in and by which we can think that we are pretty hot stuff at times.  We may impress others with these things, but they do not impress our Father in Heaven. He is pleased only with the body of Christ . . . His only begotten, incarnate Son, and his adopted sons and daughters who have been presented to him by His Son with that Robe of Innocence which was bought and paid for by his holy innocent sufferings and death. 

           During this Lenten Season you are invited to attend that heavenly rummage sale in Jerusalem slated for Good Friday.  Come adorned with your filthy rags and watch your Savior purchase for you the only fitting garment by which you may have the claim to be fit for the Great Feast to come.  And then, replace the pride of your fat-relentless ego . . . with the donated robe of righteousness He has for you there. It IS the dress for success.  For before God there are only two possibilities: what suits you and your pride, or the garment of grace. - You are what you wear. So swallow your pride and come to the cross of Christ. Come and be properly outfit for the Easter parade, which will take you, in fitting eternal style, to the Great Feast to come.

           In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. A-men.