Today, I sat with my children for our time to read God's Word together and I came upon "The Parable of the Great Banquet" in Luke 14. It goes like this:
15 When one of those who reclined at table with him heard these things, he said to him, “Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!” 16 But he said to him, “A man once gave a great banquet and invited many. 17 And at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ 18 But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please have me excused.’ 19 And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please have me excused.’ 20 And another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’ 21 So the servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.’ 22 And the servant said, ‘Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.’ 23 And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. 24 For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.’”
Ever throw a huge party you've been dreaming to throw for someone, candlelit yard and the works and have it ruined by the weather? I have. Ever worked really hard on a party, thinking through all the details of the evening, only to have next to no one show up? I have. Disheartening. But, hey, real people lead real lives with real things happening. Bad timing happens. I sprung back from it and it certainly never stopped me from throwing more parties or inviting folks over. Even more disheartening than a one-time, wrongly timed event, is the ongoing dismissal by loved ones who always seem to have this or that to do... Eventually, it's obvious that it's excuses. They're not willing to rearrange their day to be a part of your big day. Whatever the motive, they're response is, "Nah. Not today. I have more important things to do that can't wait. But you can." Maybe those words are not the chosen words, but that's what their actions boldly proclaim. And It Stings. Every. Time. Whether like in the parable above, they just never seem able to set "work" aside for their loved ones, or it's this new possession or that one that needs tending to, or maybe there's always some other relationship that comes first.. Y'all! If you know what I mean, the sting in your heart just about pushes up that lump in your throat... that lump named Rejection. I am completely familiar with it. In fact, it's a major healing ground in my heart. Praise God. The truth is I am chosen and loved by Him! And so are you!
But, here's the clincher. How many times? How many times are we invited to sit with Jesus and we have....................... to do instead? Man. I think that stings me even worse than when I'm the one being rejected. I mean there's an open invitation. Every day. All day. His eye is upon you, upon me, and like a gentleman He waits for us to notice Him... to acknowledge Him. Scripture says in Proverbs 3, "Acknowledge Him in all your ways and He will direct your paths." In a very uncertain world, where we are all looking for some kind of stability, there He is. He calls out to us to come to Him. He beckons us to seek His face. He even draws us with His lovingkindness. Jeremiah 31:3, "The Lord appeared to him from afar, saying,'I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness." Jesus said, “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Imagine the countless times per day Jesus is ignored each day. The countless times He is still experiencing rejection by those who know Him and those who claim to know Him. We glance at our bible on the coffee table, but wait the dishes. The laundry. Facebook. The phone call. The nap. The project. The meeting.... And He waits... But not forever. For there will come a time when the Son of God returns for those who are His. Let us not tarry in pursuing Him. Let us put away the excuses today as to why we can't make it to church this Sunday, why we can't/won't read God's Word to get to know Him, why we won't be still and seek Him in the morning, why we won't turn from that sin that so easily entangles us, why we won't tithe, or why we won't obey in any way for that matter.
Our lives are fleeting. Not one of us are guaranteed tomorrow. Seek His face while He is still yet to be found! He's calling you. He's waiting for you. Commit to sit at His feet as Mary did and get to know Him. Do you remember the story? Here it is from Luke 10. "Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things,42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her."
Sit with Jesus today. It'll change your heart in ways you thought were broken and beyond repair. Ask Him to teach you His Word by His Holy Spirit. He will. It's what He does. Keep at it... A year from now you won't regret it. You'll always have His ear. Why not lend Him yours?
The Christmas season is busy for all of us. May you sit at the feet of Jesus, daily drinking of His Word, abiding in Him, and continually committing to obey the Father. May your gift to the Father in the name of Jesus far exceed your store bought gifts to others. He loves you and desires intimate relationship with you. Not just weekly church attendance. May you worship Him with your life.
Let us not carry on with carrying on and celebrate the birth of Christ without Him.
Worship Him.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmViJnAHKQk
Hosea 6:6
For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
John 6:37 “Everyone whom the Father gives me will come to me, and the one who comes to me I will never send away.
Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, let’s settle this,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.”
Comments