A disgusting parable
Brian Dean errancy@infidels.org
Fri, 06 Aug 1999 21:40:18 -0400 (00934008018, 37AB8E82.BABE9927@worldnet.att.net)
> Jean
> Jesus seems to be thought of by most people I know as a paragon of compassion
> and kindliness. Even non-believers are quick to hold him up as a "great
> teacher," who "changed the world" with his compassionate values. The Good
> Samaritan parable is usually given as the yardstick by which Jesus' character
> is measured. But what do they make of this?
>
> >From Matthew 22:
> 1. And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said,
> 2. The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage
> for his son,
> 3. And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding:
> and they would not come.
> 4. Again, 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.
> 5. But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another
> to his merchandise:
> 6. And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew
> them.
> 7. But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his
> armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.
> 8. Then saith he to his servants, the wedding is ready, but they which were
> bidden were not worthy.
> 9. Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to
> the marriage.
> 10. So 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.
> 11. And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had
> not on a wedding garment:
> 12. And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a
> wedding garment? And he was speechless.
> 13. Then 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.
> 14. For many are called, but few are chosen.
>
> So, the king lays waste to an entire city to avenge the murders of a few
> servants. Then he forces people in from the street to attend his son's
> wedding. When one guy isn't properly attired (he just got marshalled in from
> the street, remember?) he is tied up and thrown out into the darkness.
>
> Is there anybody out there who can tell me what sort of justice and
> compassion this parable represents?
BRIDEAN
I heard once that it was customary when someone got married to leave certain
garments outside of the gathering that guests were expected to put on. To not
wear one of these garments when it was expected of you was considered an
insult.