THE PARABLE OF THE WEDDING BANQUET

Matthew 22:1-22
Key Verses: 22:1,2

    "Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: `The
     kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding
     banquet for his son.'"

 
1. According to this parable, what is the kingdom of heaven like? Who
   is the King? The Son? Read also Revelation 7:17; 21:1,2,4;
   5:8-10,12; 3:20. What do these verses add to the Biblical picture of
   the kingdom of heaven?

2. Read verses 3-6. What was the first response of the invited guests
   to the king's invitation? What do the king's actions teach about
   God? (4) What does the second response of the invited guests tell us
   about sinful man? What did the king do? (7)

3.  Read verses 8-10. How did the king fill the wedding hall? Who do
   these guests represent? What does this teach us about God's shepherd
   heart? What can we learn from this parable about the work of
   servants?

4.  Read verses 11-13. Who does the man without wedding clothes
   represent? How can we prepare wedding clothes for the heavenly
   banquet? What does it mean to make a commitment to Jesus? (See Col
   2:6,7; Eph 3:16,17; Php 3:10) What does verse 14 mean?

5.  Read verses 15-22. How did the Pharisees try to trap Jesus? How did
   Jesus answer? What does he teach us about our responsibility to our
   nation and God? Think about the meaning of responsibility and
   commitment.