As kids, how many time did we ask this question of our parents? As parents, how many times did our children ask— “When’s dinner?” Words like “soon, later, and when I call you,” come from our lips as we are obviously preparing the meal. What is frustrating to me as the cook is when the meal is ready, the table set, you call them to the eat—and they don’t come! Has this ever happened to you? I’m pretty sure it has. I’ve been known to ask the neighbor boy or girl playing with our kids if they’d like to eat when my own kids don’t come when called!
We did it. Our kids do it. We’re hungry, we want to eat, but when the time arrives to come to the Table, our focus is somewhere else, on the task at hand, mindlessly on a tv show rerun. We say, “just a minute” which truthfully means I’m not interested right now. Or we might hear, “can I finish this first”? Excuses made to the one who is blessing you with a meal is not a good look for us. How frustrating to the preparer of the meal! We wonder why the cook’s voice rises to a level of ear-piercing persistency, “Come now, or don’t eat”!
In the final passage of the trilogy of Jesus’ stories about who God is with His desire to commune with us at His Table, we understand the frustration of God by those who refuse with lame excuses. But God, replies Jesus, continues to call all when His chosen refuse to come the Table. There’s room at God’s Table for each one of us who believe and follow Him when we are called.
Today, many who say they know Him still refuse, making excuses such as “when I finish college, I’ll come”; “when I clean up my act, I’ll come”; “when we begin our family, I’ll come”; “when we have completed this work for my job, it will only take a few years”; “later, when I have accomplished my life goals”; the excuse list goes on and on.
God does not desire to merely be a compartmental piece of our lives but the whole of our lives. He is Life! He knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows just what we need most when we need it. He delights in us with all the details of our lives. (Psalm 37)
Fortunately for all of us, God is patient, loving and compassionate. “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 NIV So, He continues to call…
Jesus is calling everyone to The Table of His love, mercy, and grace. Just come, without excuses, to relate to the One who loves us most. Come to The Table. Eat the Bread and Drink the Wine that represents Jesus’ sacrifice for us. All are welcome. Jesus made room for everyone.
Are you hurting and broken within?
Overwhelmed by the weight of your sin?
Jesus is calling
Have you come to the end of yourself
Do you thirst for a drink from the well?
Jesus is calling
O come to the altar
The Father’s arms are open wide
Forgiveness was bought with
The precious blood of Jesus Christ
(Come to the Altar, by Elevation, written by; Wade Joye / Christopher Brown / Mack Brock / Steven Furtick)
Luke 14, The Message
The Story of the Dinner Party
15 That triggered a response from one of the guests: “How fortunate the one who gets to eat dinner in God’s kingdom!”
16-17 Jesus followed up. “Yes. For there was once a man who threw a great dinner party and invited many. When it was time for dinner, he sent out his servant to the invited guests, saying, ‘Come on in; the food’s on the table.’
18 “Then they all began to beg off, one after another making excuses. The first said, ‘I bought a piece of property and need to look it over. Send my regrets.’
19 “Another said, ‘I just bought five teams of oxen, and I really need to check them out. Send my regrets.’
20 “And yet another said, ‘I just got married and need to get home to my wife.’
21 “The servant went back and told the master what had happened. He was outraged and told the servant, ‘Quickly, get out into the city streets and alleys. Collect all who look like they need a square meal, all the misfits and homeless and down-and-out you can lay your hands on, and bring them here.’
22 “The servant reported back, ‘Master, I did what you commanded—and there’s still room.’
23-24 “The master said, ‘Then go to the country roads. Whoever you find, drag them in. I want my house full! Let me tell you, not one of those originally invited is going to get so much as a bite at my dinner party.’”
WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?
The Master has prepared a feast to celebrate our relationship with Him. The invitation was first to the Jews, His Chosen but is now for everyone of every nation. “When’s dinner” is not the question to be asked but rather the question that only we can answer is, “Are we ready and willing to come no matter the time?”
Peter, one of Jesus closest friend and follower, helps us to understand through his letters to believers…
“I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles.
Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.
But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.” 2 Peter 3:2-8
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 NIV
“When’s dinner”? Only God knows. Just be ready to come and take your place at His Table. By the way, “There’s still room …”
Leave behind your regrets and mistakes
Come today, there’s no reason to wait
Jesus is calling
Bring your sorrows and trade them for joy
From the ashes, a new life is born
Jesus is calling
O come to the altar
The Father’s arms are open wide
Forgiveness was bought with
The precious blood of Jesus Christ
Forgiveness was bought with
The precious blood
Oh, what a Savior
Isn’t He wonderful?
Sing hallelujah, Christ is risen
Bow down before Him
For He is Lord of all
Sing hallelujah, Christ is risen
O come to the altar
The Father’s arms are open wide
Forgiveness was bought with
The precious blood of Jesus Christ …
Lord,
Thank you for grafting all nations into The Vine that gives Life eternal to all who believe in you. Thank you for calling out to us. Thank you for leading us daily. Thank you for cleansing our repentant hearts, renewing our minds, refreshing our souls daily with your new mercies with continued joy and peace settling into our being from your work of salvation in us that prepares us to sit at The Table. Thank you for your love that teaches us to love in Truth.
In Jesus Name, Amen
Daily Manna (Coffee with Jesus) 