Daily Readings - Thu Aug 20 2020
Ezekiel
23And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.24For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.25Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.26A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.27And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.28And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.
Matthew
1And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said,2The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,3And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.4Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.5But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:6And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.7But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.8Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.9Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.10So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.11And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:12And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.13Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.14For many are called, but few are chosen.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound messages from Ezekiel and Matthew, each offering insights into God's grace and our response to it.
Ezekiel 36:23-28 speaks of God's promise to sanctify His name and restore His people. This passage, addressed to exiles, brings hope of renewal. God pledges to cleanse them, give them a new heart and spirit, and enable them to live according to His precepts. This is a message of divine initiative, where God takes the lead in transforming His people, making them holy and a source of His sanctified name among the nations.
Matthew 22:1-14 presents the parable of the wedding feast, where a king's invitation is repeatedly spurned, leading to the destruction of the unresponsive and the inclusion of the unexpected. This parable, directed at Jewish leaders, critiques their refusal of Jesus' invitation and highlights God's offer to all. The story emphasizes the importance of not just receiving the invitation but also being prepared, as the improperly dressed guest is cast out.
Connecting these readings, Ezekiel illustrates God's grace in cleansing and renewing, while Matthew underscores the need for an appropriate response. Ezekiel's new heart and spirit parallel the wedding garment in Matthew—both symbolize the transformation and readiness required to participate in God's kingdom.
In daily life, this means accepting God's invitation with humility and readiness. We must not be complacent but rather live in a way that reflects our commitment to God. This involves repentance, faith, and living guided by the Holy Spirit.
The moral lesson is clear: God's grace demands a response. We must clothe ourselves in the righteousness offered by Christ, ensuring we are prepared to enter the kingdom. Let us embrace God's invitation with gratitude and live in a manner that honors His grace.