Sermon for the Twentieth Sunday after Trinity, 2025

Now, the kingdom of God is like a King, not a wedding feast. No, it’s like a King who throws a wedding feast for his son. In other words, the kingdom of God is not like a party; it is, however, like a King who is generous, yet whose patience knows limits: who grows angry with those who disrespect Him; who enacts vengeance and destroys cities. So also, the kingdom of God is like a King who throws out those who would come to the feast and yet will not wear the appropriate garment, the garment that He has so graciously provided, into the dark place of eternal torture. The point here is that not everyone goes to heaven. Jesus is not a universalist. Some, such as the majority of the Jews of Jesus’ time, simply reject the invitation out of hand. They can’t—or won’t—be bothered with it. They go off to their fields or their business, or they are angry and malicious and kill the servants for even asking them to come. And they, in turn, are killed, and their cities are destroyed. Certainly, this was fulfilled, at least in part, in the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. Dare we say that such happens, even now? In Biblical times, God used Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar, Herod, Pilate, and Caesar. Later, God used Nero, Leo, and Charles V. And now? God still uses evil men to fulfill His purpose: to carry out His wrath against unbelief. This parable is a warning: repent of your unbelief before it’s too late.

Readings:

• Old Testament: Isaiah 55:1-9

• Epistle: Ephesians 5:15-21

• Holy Gospel: Matthew 22:1-14

Sermon: