Sunday 11 October 2026
- Bible Book:
- Matthew
"For many are called, but few are chosen.” (v. 14)
Background
Grace is free, but it is not to be taken for granted. God is merciful, but is not to be mocked. Today’s reading picks up a theme which Matthew has already explored of unexpected people being welcomed into God’s kingdom. However in doing so Matthew includes two further significant ideas.
The first is the idea of judgment. The king who prepared this banquet has his honour insulted by the guests’ refusal to attend. He also suffers the injury of his servants being killed. This is not something that he can simply overlook, and so those who abused him and his servants pay the price. There are echoes here from the parable of the tenants in the vineyard, which was our reading for last Sunday.
The second issue has to do with the proper respect owed to the king even by those who have responded to his invitation and joined the banquet. Where one guest does not seem to have tried to wear his best garment, whatever that was, he was in effect insulting the king. The church for which Matthew was first writing will have had both Jewish and Gentile (non Jewish) members. The Gentiles no doubt rejoiced at their unexpected invitation to be part of God’s kingdom but they needed the reminder that God’s kingdom involved righteous living.
The little saying at the end of our passage "For many are called, but few are chosen" (v. 14) should no doubt be heard through Semitic ears, where 'many' is the equivalent of 'all' and 'few' is a simple contrast, meaning 'not all'. Kingdom living cannot be taken for granted. Rather it involves a deliberate act of turning our minds towards Jesus Christ and all that is good.
To Ponder:
- How can we avoid abusing the generosity of grace by taking it for granted?
- Am I ever displaying attitudes that prevent others from discovering God’s welcome for them?
Prayer
Thank you, loving God, for accepting me as I am. By your Holy Spirit please turn me into the person you want me to be. Amen.
Bible notes author: The Revd Dr Donald Ker
Donald Ker is a supernumerary minister, originally from Ireland where he served in a number of different appointments,. He now lives in Solihull on the Birmingham Circuit.