LESSON IX.—MARCH 1.—THE MARRIAGE SUPPER

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Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Feb 12, 1902

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 28, No. 7.

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LESSON IX.—MARCH 1.—THE MARRIAGE SUPPER.

Aid.—“Christ’s Object Lessons,” pp. 307-319.

Lesson Scripture, Matt. 22: 1-14, R.V.

1 “And Jesus answered and spake again in parables unto 2 them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a certain king, which made a marriage feast for his son, and sent 4 forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the marriage feast; and they would not come. Again he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them that are bidden, Behold, I have made ready my dinner; my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come to the marriage feast. 5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his own 6 farm, another to his merchandise; and the rest laid hold on his servants, and entreated them shamefully, and killed them. 7 But the king was wroth; and he sent his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they that were 9 bidden were not worthy. Go ye therefore unto the partings of the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage feast. 10 And those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad 11 and good; and the wedding was filled with guests. But when the king came in to behold the guests, he saw there a man 12 which had not on a wedding-garment; and he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding-garment? And he was speechless. Then the king said to the 13 servants, Bind him hand and foot, and cast him out into the outer darkness: there shall be the weeping and gnashing of 14 teeth. For many are called, but few chosen.”

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

  1. With what simple statement did Jesus introduce this parable?
  2. Whom were the servants to call to the marriage?
  3. What shows that they had professed to accept the invitation?
  4. What did they do when they were called?
  5. How did they treat the second message, “All things are now ready: come”?
  6. What did they do to the messengers?
  7. Describe the fate of those who thus slighted the king’s invitation and killed his servants.
  8. What is illustrated by the two calls to the marriage and their rejection?
  9. Afterward, what did the king say to his servants?
  10. Who were to be bidden?
  11. What does this third call represent?
  12. How was the wedding finally furnished with guests?
  13. What was provided for each one?
  14. What is the wedding-garment?
  15. What insult was offered the king by one who accepted his invitation to the marriage?
  16. What question was asked him by the king?
  17. How did he reply? What does this show?
  18. What was done with him?
  19. Like the parables of the two sons, the Lord’s vineyard, etc., what special and solemn meaning had this parable for those who heard it spoken?
  20. How does its lesson apply to the church to-day?
  21. Why are few chosen? Show how this is taught in the parable.

FOR FURTHER STUDY.

  1. The Gospel invitation given to the Jews. Mark 1:14; Luke 4:43, 44; 8:1; 9:1, 2; Matt. 10:1, 7.
  2. Rejected by them. Acts 7:51-54.
  3. Given to the Gentiles. Matt. 28:19, 20; Acts 10:34-43.
  4. The wedding-garment:—
(a) What it is. Rev. 19:8. (b) Worn by whom. Rev. 19:7, 8; Eph. 5:27. (c) How obtained. Rev. 3:18.
  1. The examination of the guests. Rev. 20:11, 12.
  2. The solemn responsibility of those who are bidden to the wedding. Matt. 24:42, 44; Rev. 16:15.