In the Kingdom of God: I am klētos eklektos (Part 2)

I wrote previously that in Christ, I am klētos (called) eklektos (chosen/ elect). You can read the post here. 

You know, whenever I think of these 2 words, 'called' and 'chosen', I don't know about you, but this verse always come to my mind - 'For many are called, but few chosen'. (Matt 20:16 and Matt 22:14). 

Now, to be completely honest, for a long time, I couldn't quite fully grasp what Jesus meant by this saying, that many are called but few are chosen. 

I won't pretend to be able to interpret this correctly either but I've come to glimpse a revelation in this 'klētos eklektos' business. 


Firstly, we will need to do some reading. 

  • Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers (Matt 21:33-44) 
  • Parable of the Wedding Feast (Matt 22:1-14) 
  • Parable of the Great Supper (Luke 14:15-24)

Try to read the Parable of the Wedding Feast in the context of the Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers, as in read about the wicked vinedressers and try to understand what the wedding feast story is about. 

Secondly, we will need to google the definition and meaning of these 2 important words: klētos and eklektos. 

According to Thayer definition, klētos means called, invited (to a banquet); while eklektos means picked out, chosen. (Please do some Google search so that you can know the full meaning and implication that these words carry.)


We all know that the Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers is actually an analogy of how the vinedressers (Israelites) rejected the landowner's son (Jesus). Right after this parable of the Wicked Vinedressers, Jesus told (taught) the Parable of the Wedding Feast. Notice how Matthew 22:1 tells us that 'Jesus answered and spoke to them again by parables', and this time, Jesus gave another analogy of how those who were invited to the wedding (Israelites) rejected the invitation. 


So, keeping these in mind, let's take a look at the 2 parables, 1 of the wedding feast and 1 of the great supper. 

In both the Parable of the Wedding Feast and the Great Supper, the invitation first went out to the Israelites. The Israelites were the first invited (klētos), but they rejected the invitation. 

They were not willing to come (Matt 22:3), they made light of it and went their ways (Matt 22:5), they all with one accord began to make excuses (Luke 14:18). In fact, some seized his servants, treated them spitefully, and killed them (Matt 22:6). 

The invitation then went to the Gentiles, regardless of the good, bad, poor, maimed, lame, blind.

The invitation went out to those in the highways, both bad and good (Matt 22:10). It went out to the streets and lanes of the city, to the poor and the maimed and the lame and the blind. (Luke 14:21). It went out into the highways and hedges (Luke 14:23). 


In the Parable of the Great Supper, the word translated as 'invited' is actually kaleō, which means to call. And when those who were called (bade) to come refused, the servants were instructed by the master of the house to go to the streets and lanes. When there was still room, the master instructed the servants to go to the highways and hedges. In fact, his words were 'compel them to come in, that my house may be filled' (Luke 14:23). 

After that, the wedding hall was filled with guests (Matt 22:10). 


But of those who came to the wedding hall, there was one man who did not have on a wedding garment (Matt 22:11). 

Now, if you do some background search on this 'wedding garment' or on the Parable of the Wedding Feast, you will learn that in those days, when a king held a wedding feast, special wedding garment was provided by the king for all the guests who attend. 

In another words, when you attend any wedding banquet held by a king, you will be provided a wedding garment and you will need to put the garment on before entering. 

So, here we have one man, among all the guests, who was provided the wedding garment but did not put it on. 


The king saw this man in his original clothes and approached him and asked, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?’ (Matt 22:12)

Notice how the king addressed this man as 'friend' when asking him. Notice also that this man was speechless. (The AMP version says speechless and without excuse). And we all know what happened to him next. 

Of course, there has been great confusion surrounding this Parable, as to why the man was given such a harsh and cruel treatment. It is not my intention to delve into this here, as I believe one can find the answer to this confusion elsewhere. 


What I would like to delve deeper into here is the object of the wedding garment. 

Of those who were called (klētos) and accepted the invitation and came, those who were present at the wedding and had put on the wedding garment are the chosen (eklektos).


For a long time, I wondered about this 'wedding garment'. 

What could it be? What is it that we need to have to be chosen? And why do we need to put on 'something' to be chosen? Aren't we already called and chosen by God (as so many bible verses tell us)? Why does God impose an additional requirement? 

And for a long time, it troubled me. Because if this wedding garment is so crucial, I need to know what it is! 


Well, the new garment could symbolise anything. 

I don't profess to know the right answer but I would like to think that it is 'the new man that we are in Christ'. 


So, there you have it: wedding garment = new man in Christ

Why do I say this, you asked? Cause the Bible tells me so 😁

For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Gal 3:27 (NKJV)

and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. Eph 4:24 (NKJV)

and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him. Col 3:10 (NKJV)


I don't know about you, but when I glimpsed this revelation, my first thought was: Wow, what a beautiful wedding garment we have! I want to put on this wedding garment. And not take it off. 


I like this invitation image that I found from the internet. 

Source: Internet

This is so true - the invitation is through Jesus Christ only. 


As we are invited and as we come to the wedding feast, let us be mindful that we are invited, called and chosen through Christ and in Christ. 

We are in the wedding feast in Christ. 

And when we are in the wedding feast, we have been provided a wedding garment that we need to put on. 

We need to put on Christ, to put on the new man that we are in Christ. 


If we put it in the context that the king's wedding feast is a representation of the kingdom of our God, beloved in Christ, can you see that we have been called and invited to God's wedding feast, His kingdom? 

And as we heed the invitation and come, we are provided a garment to enter. 


As elect of Christ and elect in Christ, let us enter the wedding feast, with our beautiful wedding garment on! 

As the elect in Christ, let us enter the kingdom of God, putting on Christ, putting on the new man that we are in Christ. 

Popular posts from this blog

Motherhood - Part 4 (Crucifying that Ideal)

Image
Now I wrote about the children's Mother's Day performance story  previously.   If you've read it, you would have known that while my daughter performed with the rest of the Sunday school children for Mother's Day, my son was nervous and chose to join us at the seats.  At the time, he was saddened that he didn't go up to perform. To which we have encouraged him to try again for Father's Day, which is today.  I also wrote about dying to my 'ideal'  here.   The Lord gently showed me how I had made an idol out of my ideal and gave me a renewed revelation on denying my 'self'.  Now why do I mention these 2 posts here, you wonder.  It's because today, on Father's Day, I was tempted to give in to my ideal (again).  Few Sundays ago, the children started their practice for Father's Day.  This time, we were more deliberate with our effort in encouraging Daniel to go on-stage.  Even motivating (more like bribing 😂) him with a reward to go on-st
Read more

Motherhood - Part 1 (Dying to Self)

Image
Mother's Day this year came and passed.  10th year being a mother and I can't say I've done a great job at it, but neither am I too bad at it. I am, to put it simply, a mother to the 2 children given to me from the Lord. Nothing more, nothing less.  The week before Mother's Day, I was filled with a sense of 'inadequacy' in the area of motherhood. And I couldn't help but to feel a little down on some moments. Especially after I got upset or angry at my children and reacted rather 'unmotherly' towards them.  On those days, I felt 'guilt'. I felt 'lack'. And that thing called 'train of thoughts' inside my mind took a train track down the path called 'worry lane'.  Along the 'worry lane', the train stopped at each train station.  How is Daniel doing compared to other kids his age?  How will Daniel's future look like?  Have I done enough to prepare/ train my Daniel for future?  How will he fare after we, his par
Read more

Reflection from Daniel - Nebuchadnezzar

Image
As I read about Nebuchadnezzar in the book of Daniel, I kept thinking of these words:  The frailty of man.  Read Nebuchadnezzar's story in the first 3 chapters of Daniel and let me know if you're not jaw dropped at the double-mindedness of this man.  Here are just some snippets from Daniel.  2:47 The king answered Daniel, and said, “Truly your God is the God of gods, the Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets , since you could reveal this secret.” 3:15 Now if you are ready at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, and you fall down and worship the image which I have made, good! But if you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands ?”  3:26 Then Nebuchadnezzar went near the mouth of the burning fiery furnace and spoke, saying, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, servants of the Most High God , come out, and c
Read more