Inheritors of the Kingdom

MEMORY VERSE: “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” —Matthew 7:21

MATTHEW 21:28-31; 22:1-14

IF WE are to understand the scriptural testimony concerning the kingdom of God it is essential to keep in mind that in this kingdom there are both rulers and subjects. The work of God in the earth up until the present time has been the selection and preparation of those who are to share in the rulership of that kingdom. Jesus is the King, or ruler supreme, the One who came in fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies concerning a Messiah who was to establish a world-wide government, through the agencies of which all the families of the earth are yet to be blessed as the subjects of the kingdom.

Many erroneously suppose that Christ’s kingdom began its rulership at his first advent. These fail to note the many texts of Scripture which reveal that before the kingdom begins its rule to bless mankind with peace, and health, and everlasting life a “little flock” was to be chosen from among mankind to be inheritors with Christ of the rulership aspect of the kingdom. (Luke 12:32) This work has been in progress since the beginning of the age, having been initiated by Jesus.

Prior to the coming of Jesus, the people of Israel were the ones with whom the Lord was specially dealing. His promises had been made to them, and they were the first to whom the opportunity of joint-heirship in the kingdom was offered. The ministry of both Jesus and the apostles was limited at first to the people of this one nation.—Matt. 10:5,6

The two parables which constitute this lesson are related to this situation. The application of The Parable of the Two Sons is made by Jesus. It calls attention to the two general classes of people in Israel to whom Jesus ministered. One was the ultra religious class led by the scribes, elders, and Pharisees. The other class comprised the publicans, sinners, and harlots.

The religious class, according to the parable, made great professions of loyalty to God, and willingness to work in his vineyard. However, their attitude belied their professions. On the other hand, the nonreligious class made no pretentions of wanting to do God’s will, yet, when the call came, these were more ready to respond than the others. The parable, of course, is very general. Actually not many of either class accepted Jesus and became his followers.

This point is emphasized by the second parable concerning the king who made a wedding feast for his son. The guests to this feast had already been invited. These were the people of Israel. But when, through Jesus and those who labored with him, the call went out to the guests to come in to the feast, “they made light of it,” and had various excuses as to why they could not attend.

Then the servants were bidden to go out into the highways and invite any and all who showed an interest to come in and partake of the wedding feast. This would compare with the time, three and one-half years after Pentecost, when the Gospel went to the Gentiles. No longer was it restricted to the “guests” who previously “were bidden.” Now the Gospel call, by Jesus’ own instructions, was to go out to the whole world.—Matt. 24:14; 28:19; Acts 1:8

The general lesson of the parable is obvious, and some of its details also. The bidden guests to the feast not only for the most part refused to attend, but treated the king’s servants spitefully, and slew some of them. This reminds us of the attitude of many in Israel toward Jesus and his disciples. They caused the death of Jesus and, later, of a number of his faithful followers.

When the king inspected his guests, he found one without a wedding garment. It was the custom then for the host to furnish such a garment to all guests. This reminds us of the fact that all who accept the Gospel call to follow in the footsteps of Jesus are furnished with the robe of his righteousness. (Isa. 61:10) None is worthy to attend the feast in his own righteousness. The feast itself might well be the rich spiritual truths of God’s Word of which all true disciples are privileged to partake.

QUESTIONS

Up until the present time what has been the work of God in the earth?

To whom did Jesus and the apostles at first confine their ministry?

Why and when did the Gospel go to the Gentiles?

What is represented by the wedding garment?

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