Many are Called - Few are Chosen

Matthew 20:1-16, Matthew 22:1-14 were presented in another blog discussion I'm following as teaching that "There is no doubt that the invitation is for everyone; however, not everyone will respond to the invitation and of those that do respond, not all will be accepted". Since I totally disagee with that statement, I felt I needed to study it out. Clearly, I don't find these passages to be addressing the issue of Salvation.

Here is my take on these passages for what it’s worth –
Matthew 20:1-16
I personally see Jesus’ sense of humor displayed here. The context immediately preceding and following this passage is one of the disciples (Peter, James, and John named – but most likely all 12 were of similar mind – just like you and I probably would be if we were in their sandals.) worrying about their place of order in the Kingdom. It’s not a discussion of initial membership, but of Believers/Disciples having a proper attitude of serving out of gratitude and not with an eye to potential rewards.

Context preceding Matthew 20:1-16:
Matthew 19:27-30 “Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.”

I emphasized Peter’s “what shall we have therefore” because it caps off the “What’s in it for me?” question. I emphasized Jesus’ “and shall inherit everlasting life.” because it caps off His response. To me He is saying, Peter, you’re going to get a big ol’ throne, you’re going to be a hangin judge, get a big ol mansion, hang out with more folk than you can feed in a month of Sundays, sit on more acreage than Texas; all of this a hundred times over!!! Oh, and by the way, you get everlasting life too.

Point of Matthew 20:1-16:
He then proceeds to drive home this point with the illustration of the Laborers in the Vineyard. I believe His point is, hey guys, it is not “look how long I worked or how hard I worked, or how successful (fruit-bearing) I appeared.” The point is you each get a penny. You each get everlasting life. Don’t be whining “these last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day” but be grateful. You get everlasting life too.

Context following Matthew 20:1-16:
Matthew 20:18-19 Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.
I take this directive as: Look guys, I’m going to be betrayed, condemned, mocked, scourged, and crucified – and all you’all can do is squabble about who is first and who is last!!! Grow up! Matthew 20:20-28 essentially boils down to “Stop this squabbling about position and start ministering to folks!”

Thus, the “many called, few chosen” in context here is addressing the fact that their will be a variance of rewards which will appear to be out of whack proportionately with the Christian’s situation on Earth (time and effort in the vineyard), almost as one is favored over another; but are totally right (no wrong), and good, and lawful as granted by the Householder.

Moving on to Matthew 22:1-14.
A new day has dawned. (Mt 21:18) We are now removed a number of miles and hours from immediate context of Matthew 20:1-16. Let’s check out the context of Matthew 22:1-14:
I see Jesus’ sense of humor again but directed at the Chief Priests and Pharisees this time. Not the Disciples. The context immediately preceding and following this passage is one of almost baiting the Priests and Pharisees.
He had cleared out the Temple the evening before and they were powerless to stop Him. This morning He’s physically hungry and ends up cursing the fig tree due to its symbolic representation of the nation’s spiritual situation. The Chief Priests and Pharisees have created a system that looks good but has no spiritual fruit. Soon after He arrives at the Temple and the Priests and Pharisees start right of with challenging His authority. He responds by essentially setting them up for the take down that we’ll find in Mt. 22:1-14.

Context preceding Matthew 22:1-14:
Mt 21:18-22 A new day dawns, He curses the fig tree on His way to the Temple.
Mt 21:23- 32 The Priests and Pharisee’s challenge His authority and He baits them with the left jab of the “Whence is John’s baptism” question. When they duck it, He sets them up with the Two Sons parable. The right hook punch here is the jaw dropping statement that the Publicans and Harlots (2nd son) will go into the Kingdom before the Priests and Pharisees. (1st son)
Mt 21:33-46 He rolls His hip and swings away again with another parable. Wham, the parable of the Murderous Husbandmen hits its mark! Matthew 21:45 “And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them.” They perceived that He spake of them. I can almost read their thoughts myself… Psst, hey guys, do ya s’pose He means us here? Tell me God doesn’t have a sense of humor!

Point of Matthew 22:1-14:
A foundational basic principal of Bible Study is context and plain sense. When the context indicates a simple, plain sense, we don’t need to overwork the text. We simply need to take the Word for what It says. As much as I would like to align this story eschatologically with the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, it would be overworking the plain sense of the text.
Simply stated, the point of Matthew 22:1-14, is the Priests and Pharisees and their self-righteous followers were the original invitees of the wedding but they would be replaced with the Good and Bad bid to come from the highways. Even if they attempted to crash the party, they would be cast out.

Context following Matthew 22:1-14:
Matthew 22:15-22 The Pharisees continue their wicked attempts to entangle Him, tempt Him, and discredit Him. All to no avail. They leave in frustration.

Thus, the “many called, few chosen” in context here is addressing the fact that there were many Priests and Pharisees in Israel who thought they should be rewarded of God for their sanctimonious deeds; but would be replaced instead of rewarded. Further insult is added to injury in that the preferred replacements were drawn from the “low-life” ranks of the Publicans and Harlots. Thereby tweaking the noses of the Priests and Pharisees, and giving a wink and a nod to the Disciples as a reminder of His previous day’s lesson.

The dialogues of Matthew 20:1-16 are primarily between Jesus and His Disciples. The dialogues of Matthew 22:1-14 are primarily between Jesus and His Detractors. Parables that are not explained by Him in the immediate context are for the most part simply teaching stories and not foundation stones for doctrine.

The scripture seems to teach that all are called and few answer by faith alone, apart from works.

Because He Lives,
David