This topic may seem unpopular, as it appears selective rather than inclusive. Nonetheless, its purpose is to elucidate issues and rectify misconceptions. In today’s world, information is readily accessible, yet it is also rife with misinformation. The average person is swayed by every new doctrine instead of verifying facts to prevent being misled. Considering the numerous parables he employed, Jesus was undoubtedly an exceptional storyteller. Upon concluding the parable of the wedding banquet in Matthew 22, he made an enigmatic statement: “Many are called, but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:14). Obtaining information directly from the source is invaluable.
Regardless of a preacher’s charisma, it cannot be disputed that all truthful information comes from the source. The parable, which starts in verse 2, ends with a cryptic comment and begins with an invitation to the Israelites. For various reasons, the Israelites ignored the invitation, leading to its extension to outsiders to prevent the waste of prepared food and arrangements. Consequently, numerous outsiders gathered, filling the banquet hall with guests.
Calling differs from choosing in that the latter requires criteria, whereas calling suggests an open invitation to all who are willing to participate. In the mentioned parable, invitees must wear a special garment, signifying their status. This requirement serves to discern whether they accepted the invitation with sincerity, respecting the host’s standards, or with hidden intentions. The specific attire sets them apart from uninvited guests. Yet, during the wedding ceremony, it was noted that one individual was not adorned in the appropriate wedding attire.
The way the dishonourable guest is handled resembles that of an intruder, yet having been one of the special invitees. Given that parables are designed to conceal their true meaning, only one individual is singled out as discordant. Yet, the deeper truth is encapsulated in the phrase, “Many are called, but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:14). This moral lesson is relevant to the present Christian era. Christianity is thought to have a larger following than any other religion globally. This may symbolize those who are called but not necessarily chosen, as per the expectations.
The parable presents a fascinating phenomenon regarding the fate of those called. Some choose to mistreat the messengers, while others accept the invitation but fail to adhere to the host’s norms. The former group receives just punishment for spurning the King’s summons. Those found not wearing the proper attire are cast into darkness, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. The narrative does not explain why someone would choose inappropriate attire after accepting the invitation to the wedding banquet.
The term “weeping and gnashing of teeth” is a Jewish idiom indicating anger and distress, contrasting with the group that dishonourably declined the invitation and was militarily vanquished. The punishment for neglecting the wedding garment implies regret for not properly honouring the invitation. It doesn’t necessarily suggest punishment but rather subjects those individuals to potential disappointment and embarrassment for not being part of the Kingdom. It depicts individuals who berate themselves for not grasping the simplicity of the invitation’s expectations.
The parable omits the destiny of those not invited or unaware of the wedding’s existence. Nonetheless, God’s plan for humanity is inclusive. Every person will have the chance to learn about Jesus’ teachings and make knowledgeable choices. The mention of a wedding implies the possibility of offspring from that marriage. This underscores the importance of comprehending the role of the select few. At this point, these are the individuals whom Jesus is focused on. Individuals who are deeply committed to Christianity constitute a community cherished by Jesus.
“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
“A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits, you will know them. Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” (Matthew 7:13-23 ESV).
The parable of the wedding banquet depicts those who, despite accepting the invitation, are discovered wearing an inappropriate garment. The preceding scripture’s reference to false prophets suggests their influence over the individual’s choice of attire. The wedding garment was not meant to compete with others but to symbolize God’s righteousness. It does not include the righteousness defined by human standards. Garments offered by false prophets might be appealing and stylish, yet they fail to align with the required garment.
The intriguing aspect lies in selecting only a few, rather than an unlimited number, from among many Christians. Unquestionably, God wishes for everyone to embrace grace and be saved. The question arises: why did Jesus not impose God’s will on all people to aid them instead of leaving them in their dire conditions? To answer this, we must first consider the mission entrusted to the apostles. God is considered sovereign, yet does not make decisions for humans. Each individual is expected to exercise their free moral agency, which reflects their own character.
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen (Matthew 28:18-20 ESV).
The pivotal statement in that assignment is the teaching of what Jesus commanded. To teach anything else would be akin to offering a garment not sanctioned by the King. God’s selection may seem arbitrary, but it does not entail enforcing His will upon an unwilling individual. Paul might be cited as initially reluctant to embrace God’s call. However, his encounter on the road to Damascus led to a transformation. He did not oppose the evident truth presented to him by Jesus. Those travelling with Paul were not similarly impacted.
In the biblical narrative of Cain and Abel, Abel is depicted as distinct from his brother. He embodied the mindset of God, unlike Cain, who was drawn more to the material world. Abel’s decisions are often ascribed to God’s influence, while Cain’s are linked to Satan. God symbolizes goodness, whereas Satan embodies evil. Nonetheless, both brothers possessed dual attributes within their emotions and ultimately, it was a matter of personal choice for each. Even after Cain entertained the idea of committing murder, God continued to communicate with him.
So the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.” Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him. Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:6:9 ESV).
God’s message did not influence Cain, who had resolved to commit murder. It is not God’s fault that Cain chose to kill his brother, despite God’s warning. What is crucial is to recognize the potent force that led Cain to disregard God’s message. This force is as influential as God’s own message. Nevertheless, it is up to each person to choose which influence to surrender to. In this instance, Cain had the option to follow God’s counsel and dismiss the wicked urge to murder his brother. This holds true for every individual in the world.
Misinformation is a significant issue plaguing humanity. Cain was swayed by Satan’s communication, which stroked his ego, rather than adhering to the truths of life. As Proverbs 14:12 (NKJV) states, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” The path of deceit is as potent as the path of righteousness. Ultimately, it hinges on an individual’s propensity to be influenced by divine guidance or by deceitful temptations. True wisdom involves making decisions based on information and reflection, not on impulse.
It is crucial to avoid allowing superstitions to influence personal decisions. Often, it is ego and the pursuit of physical comfort, including emotional impulses that lead to poor choices. Reason should guide our decisions, but it must be well-informed to be effective. In this context, Jesus is presented as the bearer of superior spiritual knowledge, which is often rejected due to vanity.
“He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For everyone practising evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God” (John 3:18-21 NKJV).
God’s patience is boundless, permitting individuals to persist in their sinful ways while hoping and anticipating their reform. Often, the wicked are granted extended lives, with the expectation of eventual repentance on their part. Conversely, the demise of the virtuous is celebrated by God. “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints” (Psalms 116:15). For a Christian, death is considered a gain, (Phil. 1:21), as existence in the flesh is deemed a loss, hindered by physical constraints. The sinful are granted more time, in the hope that they may change.
The Bible does not show Jesus explicitly setting out to make everyone become His disciples. The preaching of the gospel serves to announce the coming Kingdom of God. Those who believe in Him would be baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. To believe in Jesus means to embrace and live by the principles He taught. Such individuals are endowed with the Holy Spirit, affirming their identity as children of God. At the second coming, such faithful ones will reign as kings alongside Christ, solidifying Jesus’ title as the King of Kings.
The remainder of humanity, alive then, will have the honour of being governed by Jesus. Those governed will not be spiritual, although governed by Spiritual people. Jesus is prophesied to occupy the throne of David, presiding over a tangible government. Various Scriptures offer insights that affirm the significance of Christianity, as preparing people for governance. Such texts refer to a select group, destined to rule alongside Christ upon His return. Those individuals will wield power within that government, under the leadership of Christ, who will retain His human form as the Son of Man. While He served as a servant before, He will be anointed as King. Beneath Him, there will be multiple kings:
“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy” (1 Peter 2:9-10 NKJV).
The second coming of Jesus does not mark the end of the world, though, as some people have assumed. It will only be an exciting moment when Jesus rules this world. This event marks the genesis of a wonderful time when God’s children, who will then be immortal, like Jesus, take positions of authority to restore order in the world. There will be peace in the entire world, where corruption will be banished forever. This encapsulates the purpose of Christianity, which is to cultivate individuals prepared to co-reign with Christ.
The select few should be seen as extraordinary individuals, destined to join Christ in restoring peace to a world that has lost its way. These individuals are strangers in this land, which implies they may not receive kindness, like Jesus. Matthew 25:32-40 hints at the significance of their role. They are considered the brethren of Jesus, distinct from the rest of humankind, being judged as either righteous or evil. While assessing the actions of humanity, Judgment Day does not apply to Jesus’ brethren, serving alongside Him during His millennial rule.
Andrew Masuku is the author of Dimensions of a New Civilization, laying down standards for uplifting Zimbabwe from the current state of economic depression into a model for other nations worldwide. A decaying tree provides an opportunity for a blossoming sprout. Written from a Christian perspective, the book is a product of inspiration, bringing relief to those having witnessed the strings of unworkable solutions––leading to the current economic and social decay. Most Zimbabweans should find the book as a long-awaited providential oasis of hope, in a simple conversational tone.
The Print copy is now available at Amazon.com for $13.99
Also available as an e-copy at Lulu.com for $6.99