A funny incident occurred at a wedding that I attended with some friends in 2005. Out of about 14 of us that attended the wedding as a group, one person was dressed in Jeans and T-Shirt. At the reception, extra help was required in sharing the drinks and food to the guests. A well dressed and polished old woman walked straight to the person that was dressed in Jeans and T-Shirt and casually asked him to help in sharing the drinks. Needless to say that we had a good laugh at his expense and out of respect for the woman, he obliged. Well…you can say that he got what he dressed for. A great preacher once said that you are addressed the way you dress. If you take yourself down memory lane, I’m sure you will find a reason to agree with him.
An incident like this occurred in the Bible, at a wedding ceremony in one of the parables that Jesus told. On that occasion, the consequence was graver:
“When the king entered and looked over the scene, he spotted a man who wasn’t properly dressed. He said to him, ‘Friend, how dare you come in here looking like that!’ The man was speechless. Then the king told his servants “Get him out of here–fast. Tie him up and ship him to hell. And make sure he doesn’t get back in.’’ Matt 22: 11 – 13 (MSG).
One of these days, the great wedding banquet of the church and the Lamb will take place. As described in Ephesians 5:27, the church must be without spot, without wrinkle and without blemish to qualify for this wedding. This passage is not referring to the magnificent edifices, where we gather for worship every Sunday, but about us; the temple of the Holy Spirit.
We are all meant to appear at that wedding dressed for the banquet if not, we’ll be bounced at the gate. I don’t know the date of the wedding and I’m sure you don’t too. To make matters more interesting, it is not going to be announced in advance. That means that we are expected to put on that dress every day; to work; to church; at home and even while sleeping. In all these things, the banquet dress should still remain spotless and without wrinkle, in spite of all the efforts the people you meet along the way put in to add some colour to it.
Like Apostle Peter said, “Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless” 2Peter 3:14. God’s grace is more than enough for our journey. As we tap into it, we’ll meet at the great banquet. Maranatha!
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