What does "both good and bad" teach about God's invitation to all? Setting the Scene Matthew 22:10: “So the servants went out into the streets and gathered everyone they could find, both good and bad, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.” What “both good and bad” Means • Jesus deliberately lists the moral spectrum—people viewed as upright (“good”) and those considered sinful (“bad”). • The phrase reveals that the King’s invitation to the wedding feast is not filtered by human merit or reputation. • It dismantles the assumption that only the righteous are welcome; every kind of person is summoned. God’s Wide-Open Invitation • Universal reach: God’s call extends to every nation, class, and moral background (cf. Isaiah 55:1; Revelation 22:17). • Undeserved grace: No one earns a seat; each guest comes solely because the King invites. • Level ground at the door: The “good” cannot boast, and the “bad” cannot despair—both stand in need of the provided wedding garment of righteousness (Matthew 22:11-12; 2 Corinthians 5:21). Complementary Scriptures • Romans 3:22-23 — “There is no distinction, for all have sinned…” • 1 Timothy 2:3-4 — God “desires all men to be saved.” • Acts 10:34-35 — “God shows no partiality.” • Luke 5:32 — Jesus came “to call sinners to repentance,” which includes the “good” who recognize their need. Practical Takeaways • Share the gospel freely—no one is outside God’s scope. • Guard against self-righteous exclusion; the King welcomed you the same way. • Rejoice in grace: your place at the banquet is secured by invitation, not performance. |
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