This is the third judgment parables given by Jesus in respond to the religious leaders who challenged His authority.
这是耶稣关乎审判的第三个比喻，是针对抵挡祂权威的宗教领袖而说的。
- The guests invited 邀请宾客 (22:1-6)
In this story, God was represented by the king and His chosen people, Israel, were the invited guests. The gospel invitation was given repeatedly by the prophets to attend the wedding feast, which was God’s promised blessing to Israel. However, the invitation was rejected as shown in two responses – indifference and hostility. The first response was due to their preoccupation with daily living and personal pursuits.
在这个故事中，王代表了神，而被召赴席的人则代表以色列。先知们反复地交出福音请帖召人出席喜宴，也就是神对以色列所应许的祝福。然而，宾客以两种方式拒绝了邀请：冷漠与凌辱。前者的反应是因着为每日生活及个人追求忙碌而引起的。
- The guests punished 惩罚宾客 (22:7-8)
The guests are punished for rejecting the king’s call and the prophetic feature was fulfilled in AD 70. Because Israel has rejected the Son, God also rejected them.
宾客拒绝了王的呼召而遭受惩罚；这预言在公元后70年应验了。由于以色列拒绝了圣子，所以神也拒绝他们。
- The new guests invited 邀请新宾客 (22:9-10)
The call to salvation was thus extended to the gentiles. All who accepted the gospel were now the dinner guests to the wedding feast.
救恩的呼召因此向外邦人伸展。凡领受福音的如今成了喜宴的宾客。
- The unprepared guests expelled 驱逐无预备的宾客 (22:11-14)
However, the only acceptable way to attend the wedding is to put on the wedding garment as required by the King. Anyone who tried to come to the Lord unprepared or on his own terms as represented by the guest will be punished. In the day of Judgment, their falsehood would become obvious and their removal is certain.
可是，唯有穿上王所要求的礼服才可被接受赴席。凡无预备，或试着以自己的条件而来的人，就如那受到惩罚的宾客。在审判之日，他们的虚假将被揭露，而他们必被驱逐。
Praying the Scripture 用经文祷告
- Although the blessing of salvation was promised to the Israelites, but they had rejected the gospel of salvation. It is not those who are Abraham’s offspring in the flesh, but those who are Abraham’s offspring in the faith that will receive the promised blessing. Are you in the faith? Please examine yourself and respond in prayer.
虽然救恩的应许是给以色列人的，但他们拒绝了救恩的福音。属亚伯拉罕的儿女是那在信心中领受这应许的人，而不是他肉身所生的儿女。你是否有信心？请审察自己，并以祷告回应。
- We used to be a wild olive shoot, now grafted in by faith to share in the nourishing root of the olive tree (Rom. 11:17). Let’s pray that we will not be arrogant but be fearful and remember God’s kindness towards us.
我们从前是野橄榄，藉着信心得接在其中，一同得着橄榄根的肥汁（罗11:17）。让我们祷告，叫自己不要狂傲，而是要敬畏神，并纪念神对我们的恩慈。
- The only acceptable wedding garment is genuine sanctification produced by the sanctified eternal life. Are you bearing fruits in keeping with your repentance? “Even now, the axe is laid to the roots of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” (Matt. 3:10-11) Let’s pray that God will continue His sanctifying work in our hearts.
唯独被接受的礼服是因得永生而有的真实圣洁生活。你是否有结出与悔改的心相称的果子呢？“现在斧子已经放在树根上，凡不结好果子的树就砍下来，丢在火里”（太3:10）。让我们祈求神会在我们的心里延续祂洁净的工作。
