Tuesday, 15th April 2025
Andrews Ampomah
TOPIC: How Did You Get In Here?
THEME SCRIPTURE: “But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. He asked, ‘How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend?’ The man was speechless.” – Mathew 22:11-12
PREPARATORY QUESTIONS:
- Are you genuinely saved or deceived?
It is an undeniable fact that not all who claim Christian identity are genuinely and truly saved. Saying the right words or participating in Christian religious activity is not the same as being born again. The reality of one’s Christian identity cannot be presumed. God, in Christ Jesus, has ordained the means of grace by which men must be saved – “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ – John 3:16.” It is a sobering reality that the gravest misfortune a person can face is to be under the false impression of their Christian identity while, in truth, they are not. Tragically, this will be the lot of many people at the Second Advent of Christ Jesus.
Jesus expressly talks about this in Mathew 7:21-23: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven…”
After cleansing the temple, he embarks on a long session of teaching parables, answering questions, and confronting religious leaders. His authority and truth pierce through the deceit of the religious leaders (Matthew 21:23 to 24:51). In one of such teachings, He talks about the parable of the wedding banquet and likens it to the kingdom of God. All who were invited to this banquet turned down the invitation and refused to attend (Mathew 22:3). To ensure the banquet still happens, the king graciously extends his kindness to all who were on the streets, whether bad or good, to fill his banquet hall. Amidst the celebration, “…the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes – Mathew 22:11.” While the king’s invitation had no restrictions, anyone who accepted such an invitation must be appropriately dressed for the occasion. The king quickly quizzed, “How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend?”
Dearly beloved in Christ Jesus, the question of “How did you get in here?” demands everyone’s private contemplation during this Lenten season.
The season provides the right opportunity to examine ourselves with honesty and humility, to test whether we are truly in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5). Let us not be numbered among those who presumed upon grace yet never surrendered to the Savior.
The king in the parable extended the invitation to all, but still required the proper garment, symbolic of the righteousness found only in Christ Jesus.
It is not enough to be near the banquet hall, to walk in religious circles, or to wear the name "Christian." The call is to be clothed in Christ, to truly believe, repent, and receive His righteousness as your covering. There is no salvation apart from Him.
This is the moment for sincere reflection: Have you truly put your faith in Jesus Christ for salvation? Have you come to Him not merely in name but with your heart? The invitation still stands: “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31). Eternity awaits. Be sure of your place at the table. Amen.
FURTHER READING – Mathew 22, Acts 16, 2 Corinthians 13
Call to Salvation: Today is your day if you have not received salvation by turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Click here to do so.
QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD:
- Reflect on your salvation story
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, in Your own way and by Your Holy Spirit, help me to make sure of my salvation in Christ Jesus. Expose any deception and lead me to Your way everlasting to Your glory and praise alone, in Christ Jesus. Amen.
One-Year Bible Reading Plan
Acts 15; Joshua 2-4; Psalm 105
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