The Banquet Hall WILL Be Full

"Then the master said to the servant, 'Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.'"  (Luke 14:23)

You will remember that the first invitees had an excuse for not accepting the invitation.  Remember when you did?

There was the business/work/pay-the-bills excuse.  Then there was the family excuse.  What they valued as priority is what kept them from the greatest "value" in life and, I might say, in death, a life of feasting with/in Jesus Christ.  I have had similar excuses; so have you.  My only hope and prayer now is that we have no more.

Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You so much for Your invitation to Your, "Great Supper."  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

What Name Do They Hear Most From Us?

"We proclaim to you the One Who existed from the beginning, Whom we have heard and seen.  We saw Him with our own eyes and touched Him with our own hands.  He is Jesus Christ, the Word of Life."  (1 John 1:1, NLT, 1996 edition, again, from today's reading)

I come back to Mother Teresa's last words to then Senator Brownback, "Remember, Senator, It's all about Jesus; it's all about Jesus; it's all about Jesus."  Yes, three times she emphasized the Foundation of the Bible message. 

Now, because of the New Birth, eyes beholding and hands touching has gone beyond to, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My Word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make our abode with him."  Some may be in large Church gatherings at this moment.  Jesus is there.  I am in this room.  Jesus is here, "....Our abode with him."

Recently I read that passage in 1 Peter where the Apostle says that, "....by Him we believe in God."  No one can believe in God apart from Jesus.  If one attempts to, they only have a god of their own creation.  This is why historically Jesus has been the "problem," both with Jews and Gentiles.  Jesus dispels myths and conjectures about God.  Jesus, "....became flesh and dwelt among us."  And the Living Triune God said when He appeared among men, what He declares in the Prophet Isaiah, "Here am I."  As 2 Corinthians tells us, "For God, who said, 'Light shall shine out of darkness,' is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ."

Quite frankly, neither I nor any one else has anything to say of any significance if it is not, "in the face of Christ."  Theologians and philosophers, whether "professional" or at the water cooler, who talk of God as some different person other than Father, Son Jesus, and Holy Spirit, are literally making up stories.  It makes them feel important and superior, but it also makes them stupid.  Pointing people to Jesus is humbling.  It takes the attention from our speculation and pseudo-intellectualism to, "He is Jesus Christ, the Word of Life."

Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You so much that You "cleared up" speculation when You appeared in Jesus.  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

Jesus Preserves, "Your Going Out And Your Coming In."

"The Lord will preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore."  (Psalm 121:8, "A Song of Ascents")

The "Songs of Ascents" were to be rehearsed while the Jews were traveling to Jerusalem.  Whether they are of the Levitical Priests or just pilgrims in general going up to Jerusalem, they are Psalms of a journey, viz., going from one location to another.

 

In Jesus Christ, "The Lord...preserve[s] your going out and your coming in..," by His Indwelling Presence, and not by waiting for us to get "there."  He is "going there" in us.  We can accurately say that the passage in Psalm 121, "The Lord is your shade at your right hand," is now fulfilled in Jesus as, "Jesus is your shade Who dwells within you." 

No, I'm not rewriting Scripture.  I am attempting to get the Church out of this "I'm-here-God-is-there" mode.  The Scriptures themselves reveal this when He teaches us that He goes before us and comes behind us, His hand is upon us and, "underneath are the Everlasting Arms."  I can with confidence say that Jesus is our Indwelling-Surrounding Preservation.

You hear a lot today that "God showed up."  If anyone needs to "show up," it is you and I.  He is already "there/here."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray that today's Church will have this written in our hearts and in our minds.  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2