The king's son was getting married, said Jesus, in His parable about God's kingdom and Himself (Matthew 22:1-10). The invited guests had refused to come, but when he issued new invitations to whoever would accept them ... they came without hesitation. However, one man got in but did not value the honour, nor did he prepare himself to be the king's guest.

Often, in those days, the host would provide garments for the guests, but that man had no interest in what the king had set aside for him; instead he thought he could come in his own way. But he was wrong. He had accepted the invitation, but not on the king's terms - so he had really refused the invitation, even though he had the impudence to think he could get away with it! By the time he realised that he had been noticed it was too late. He was arrested, bound and thrown into painful exclusion – like Jerusalem’s constantly burning garbage pile in the Valley of Hinnom outside the city wall. This had been the site of abhorrent child sacrifices (Jeremiah 19:2-6) and became a vivid picture of hell - the Greek word for hell is Gehenna which is derived from the Hebrew Hinnom (Matthew 10:28). It was too late to repent, but the description of painful eternal exclusion was a divine warning.

In the parable, the king is God and the son is Jesus. The original invitees were the Jewish people, but they refused to welcome God's Son. Instead, some of the disreputable people of society (who were shunned by nice religious people), welcomed Jesus and wanted to enter His kingdom. But some others, be they Jews or Gentiles, thought they could get into heaven on their own terms. The only clothing fit for Christ's wedding is a 'robe of righteousness' (Isaiah 61:10) which He gives to all those who repent of their sins and accept His sacrifice to purify them from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). The rubbish dump was the perpetually burning fire of hell; the destination for all spiritual imposters.

Nobody can get to God through their own way. Either we come through Jesus or we do not get there at all (John 14:6). However, there are so many other different ideas which people think will please God: but they are all wrong. Only Christ can make us clean and fit to be presented to God. No amount of religious ritual, good deeds, theological learning or brazen arrogance can secure a welcome in God's kingdom. Only trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ will secure your place with God (Acts 16:31). That is the gospel message which we need to share persuasively with friends and colleagues, before it is too late.