Few are Chosen

Jesus said to him, A man was once giving a great supper and invited many; And at the hour for the supper he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, Come, for all is now ready. But they all alike began to make excuses and to beg off. The first said to him, I have bought a piece of land, and I have to go out and see it; I beg you, have me excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to examine and ‘put my approval on them; I beg you, have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and because of this I am unable to come. So the servant came and reported these [answers] to his master. Then the master of the house said in wrath to his servant, Go quickly into the great streets and the small streets of the city and bring in here the poor and the disabled and the blind and the lame. And the servant [returning] said, Sir, what you have commanded me to do has been done, and yet there is room. Then the master said to the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges and urge and constrain [them] to yield and come in, so that my house may be filled. For I tell you, not one of those who were invited shall taste my supper. Matthew 14:16-24, AMP

In this parable, the man giving the feast represents the Lord inviting people to the marriage supper of the lamb (Jesus). And, much like today, it seems that people make all kind of excuses of why they can’t serve and obey God. Many people are too busy with their businesses (or working to make money), too busy with their spouse or family members, having fun, etc. The truth is anything or anyone we place above God in our hearts is an idol. I believe many will probably miss the rapture and heaven because they do not take the Lord’s calling on their life seriously and they place other things and people above the call of God on their lives.

In Matthew 22, Jesus shares a very similar parable. In verse five, He states: But they were not concerned and paid no attention [they ignored and made light of the summons, treating it with contempt] and they went away—one to his farm another to his business…

In verses 26-27, Jesus goes on to say:

If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his [own] father and mother [in the sense of indifference to or relative disregard for them in comparison with his attitude toward God] and [likewise] his wife and children and brothers and sisters—[yes] and even his own life also—he cannot be My disciple. Whoever does not persevere and carry his own cross and come after (follow) Me cannot be My disciple. Luke 14:26-27 AMP

In Matthew 22, this parable describes one who came to the wedding feast without a wedding garment (which represents salvation, purity, etc.) The man was cast out because although he answered the call to come to the feast, he did not meet the Lord’s requirements. Then in verse 14, Jesus said: “For many are called, but few are chosen.”

I think we all need to realize the lateness of the hour and that we need to take the kingdom of God seriously and be about our Father’s business. God wants us to love our families, etc. and He is not against us having fun, but don’t let any of that be an idol in your life. Also, the Lord said He is coming back for a bride that is pure and holy, without spot, wrinkle, stain or blemish (Ephesians 5:27). God bless you all.

In Christ ~ Kelly Rowe