The garment is everything. Putting on the garment is like saying, “I belong at the wedding feast, I deeply identify with the group of people here.”
 
Matthew 22:11–14 (NLT): “But when the king came in to meet the guests, he noticed a man who wasn’t wearing the proper clothes for a wedding. 12 ‘Friend,’ he asked, ‘how is it that you are here without wedding clothes?’ But the man had no reply. 13 Then the king said to his aides, ‘Bind his hands and feet and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ 14 “For many are called, but few are chosen.”
 
It just so happens that in this parable, the master of ceremony is the father of the groom and he is setting the standard for entrance into the wedding feast.
 
He is the only one who has the right to declare the wedding protocol. He makes the decisions, not those who attend. If a person wants to attend, then meeting the requirements is a must, right?
 
God’s grace is extended to those who are in attendance – there is no grace for those who choose not to attend or who choose to disregard the requirements. The garment is everything.
 
Ephesians 4:20–24 (NLT): But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. 21 Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, 22 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.
 
There it is, the difference between the old and new garment. The telltale test is renewing of your thoughts and attitudes BECAUSE you have learned about Jesus. Not so that you can learn about Jesus. The new garment is to be put on because of the gift of God.
 
The master of the ceremony has invited you to attend and given you the garment of righteousness to attend…put it on.
 
Israel is being rebuked (especially the religious leaders) in this parable, but it has direct application to anyone who thinks that they can prescribe for themselves entrance into eternal life.
 
Only the righteousness of Christ gives a person entrance into heaven. And, when that garment is put on, we enter into a life-long transformation process that never ends on this earth. Day-by-day we are becoming more like Jesus. We want to because of who He is. The garment of righteousness gives us access to the transforming power, without which we have no ability to change.
 
I wonder if the man who said nothing was a good person? I wonder if he was not a good person? I wonder if he was proud or arrogant? It doesn’t matter does it?
 
No matter what we were, the garment of righteousness must be put on, right? No matter what this man was before, it didn’t meet the requirement for entrance.
 
Here is an important thought to ponder:
 
He was invited, but he didn’t get to attend.
He was wanted, but he didn’t get to attend.
He was searched for, but he didn’t get to attend.
 
The garment is everything.
 
Please do not make the mistake of feeling the invitation, knowing God wants you and understanding that God has searched for you, as believing these are the garment.
 
Something has to come off of you and something has to be put on you. All the wanting in the world is meaningless. Paul uses the phrase… “Throw off…” This means repent. This means to identify with Christ as a new creature, changing everyday and producing new fruit in my life.
 
Do the thoughts and attitude that come from wearing the new garment produce a different fruit in your life? Yes, in every single case. Yes! Look for the fruit.
 
You know what, we all struggle, we all have weaknesses that get the best of us, the old nature will tell you to stay there and embrace that old way. But the Holy Spirit who puts the new garment on you, will remind you of your new identity in Christ.
 
He points to the wedding feast and your rightful attendance there. Again, rightful because of the kindness and mercy of God, not your willfulness.
 
Praise the Lord for His invitation to you. Praise the Lord for the garment He gives you. Praise the Lord for your attendance at the wedding.
 
Father, again we thank You for the great gift of attending the wedding in heaven. Lord, thank You for the mercy and grace that You give everyday. It is fresh every day. We are attending what You are offering, we have been made new through Jesus. Our righteousness doesn’t count for anything, so we cling to the righteousness of Jesus and ask that You would continue to transform each of us into the image of Your Son Jesus. We want to be just like Him. Anything good in our life is because He did it. We can’t take credit for anything, nor do we want to. Oh, God – thank You for the garment given to us through Jesus.
 
Blessings, 
Pastor D