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“But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment. And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ For many are called, but few are chosen.”

Jesus told the story of the King who had a wedding feast. He was illustrating the offer he had for the world. His people, Israel, did not accept him. They were not faithful to be a light to the nations and they rejected the Messiah. Jesus makes the offer to all who will come, “”Go therefore to the main roads and invite” That’s what we do, all are welcome! But when you come, you don’t get to come on YOUR terms, you come according to Jesus’ rules. You follow him. Though the offer of heaven is for everyone, it’s only for those who believe in Jesus. That’s the only way to put on the correct garment, you must be clothed in Jesus’ righteousness.

When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.

Lazarus, who was raised from the dead, was a threat to the pharisees’ power, so they sought to kill him. Did you catch that? The proof that Jesus was who he said he was, he was able to have power over death, but that didn’t matter… they didn’t want God any way but their way. When you share Jesus with others, and you need to, don’t be surprised when people disbelieve in the face of overwhelming evidence. So when someone does choose to follow Jesus, it’s because God has broken through (not because we’re so convincing). Keep following!

And they said to him, “By what authority are you doing these things, or who gave you this authority to do them?” Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one question; answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Was the baptism of John from heaven or from man? Answer me.” And they discussed it with one another, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ But shall we say, ‘From man’?”—they were afraid of the people, for they all held that John really was a prophet. So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

Are you skeptical by nature? There’s nothing wrong with that, just don’t let that get in the way of following Jesus. He is not a dancing monkey doing tricks for us. He has already been so gracious to prove to humanity who he is… why do we demand even more? He is already the most attested to figure of ancient history, what else do we need? Do you find yourself believing there’s just not enough evidence? He doesn’t need you, you need him. Trust him today.

Then another came, saying, ‘Lord, here is your mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief; for I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man. You take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.’ He said to him, ‘I will condemn you with your own words, you wicked servant! You knew that I was a severe man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? Why then did you not put my money in the bank, and at my coming I might have collected it with interest?’ And he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to the one who has the ten minas.’ And they said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten minas!’ ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.

Jesus didn’t come to make us safe. When you come to him, you’re given a great treasure. It is not something to be hidden away, it is meant to be shared. If you don’t share the faith, then you probably don’t really have it. Those who genuinely have Jesus now, will receive so much more when he returns. So too, those who are not his will have everything taken from them on That Day. Everyone has the same offer, follow Jesus, you’ll be glad you did!

Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

Jesus loved children. It is in the innocence of a child that we see what heaven will be like, just as it was before Adam and Eve broke God’s command. We have to be innocent, just like those small children. But how can we do that? Jesus died on the cross to take away your sin. If you will follow him, you can be just like the little children.