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The election of the just, and the reprobation of the wicked, are inscrutable mysteries. Yet, as much as is necessary for us to know, Jesus reveals to us in this parable, without satisfying vain curiosity.

I. ON THE CALL EXTENDED TO MEN.

1. Nature of this call.

(1)  It is Divine.

(2)  It is holy.

(3)  It is a free call.

(4)  it is a universal call.

2. Manner of this call.

(1)  God calls men outwardly: by teaching and preaching, in order to take away the darkness of understanding caused by original sin.

(2)  God calls me. inwardly: by the inspiration of Divine grace.

II. ON THE DECLINING OF THE INVITATION.

1. Cooperation with the Divine call is necessary.

2. Man often refuses to co-operate with the Divine call:

(1)  Because he is attached to earthly things.

(2)  Because he is enslaved by the vice of pride.

(3)  Because he is the slave of his own flesh.As the Jews lost all taste for the manna, because they longed for the flesh-pots of Egypt, so all taste for the sweetness of spiritual joys is lost by carnal lust.

III. ON REPROBATION. Most awful is the judgment of being excluded from Divine charity and communion; but, at the same time, it is most just.

1. The wrath of the king against those who were invited, but who refused to come, was just. With God, wrath is not the eruption of passion, but the zeal of justice, directed against him who, by not accepting His loving invitation, has insulted His infinite majesty.

2. The sentence pronounced by the king was just.

(1) God does whatever is necessary for our salvation.

(2) But man, the sinner, is not willing to be saved (Matthew 23:37). Man must do what he is able to do, and pray for what he is not able.

3. His sentence of reprobation is most just.

(1) He gives them up to the desires of their heart, as He suffered those who were invited to go after their business (Romans 1:23, etc.).

(2) God invites others instead of those who were first invited, that His house may be filled, and that the latter may be for ever cut off from the hope of recovering their place. Thus David was elected instead of Saul; Matthias instead of Judas.

(3) He condemns irrevocably those who decline the invitation (Proverbs 1:24-26).

(Nicolas de Dijon.)

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KJV: Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:

WEB: But he said to him, "A certain man made a great supper, and he invited many people.