Matthew 22:1-14

The first time I wore jeans on a Sunday Morning (it was an illustration in the sermon) didn’t go over well for a couple of church members and especially for my Mom. On our weekly phone call I shared a bit of my sermon and the negative response I received from a couple of members. That’s when she said it, “you know better than that!”

There is (or at least there was) an expectation for how to dress in certain situations. Men in jackets and ties, women in dresses for weddings, funerals, and even certain restaurants after 5:00pm. (It’s still that way on several cruise lines in certain dining rooms.) Some events raise the standard even more like black tie, or formals. Jeans definitely wouldn’t be allowed here (Unless it was a denim tuxedo!).

There is a saying from early Rome, vestis virum facit (Latin), “Clothes make the man.” It emphasizes that dress can shape behavior and influence respect. It’s as true today as it was back in the first Century. In both Roman and Jewish culture there was an expectation to dress appropriately for the event you are attending.

In Jesus’ parable of the wedding feast when all the surprise guests were invited and showed up, there was one who came as he was. It seems to be a strange lesson, but it’s actually quite simple and it’s not about the clothes he was wearing.

It’s about respect.

This man had not found it important to prepare himself or honor the hosts. It was a sign of disrespect.

I’m grateful that God is so generous and gracious, but it is that goodness that should garner our humility and gratitude. It’s a simple reminder to us that God still expects something from us, our best in response His grace.

Even in jeans. ; )