It
was eight years ago that severe persecution broke against Christians by the
militant Hindus in the State of Orissa, India. Over 100 Christians, some of
whom I knew personally, were massacred. Though we live in a dangerous world, we
are loved and cherished by the One who is in control and has the last word in
the transactions and the affairs of the world. Though the world is one of wars
and rumors of war, because of Christ we get to celebrate.
We are
blessed with a wonderful banquet last Saturday. It was held at the Fellowship
Hall of the Union Center United Methodist Church. The Fellowship Hall was
transformed into banquet hall once more. So many people came that we had to
add 6 more tables. The menu for the banquet included: Turkey, Ham, mashed
potatoes, gravy, lasagna, sweet corn, baked beans, homemade rolls, fried rice,
chicken curry, beef curry, sweet breads. The dessert included humongous carrot
cake, cookies, and an ice cream sundae bar. Indeed, it was a banqueting table
with food galore. The banquet was followed by an amazing musical presentation
by our friends Dave Berry and Aric Phinney, who are both gifted and anointed
musicians.
Jesus,
our Lord, spoke of the Kingdom of God as a banquet. How strange Jesus' words
must have sounded to the people back then. Nobody then thought of the kingdom
of God as a party. In fact, the Pharisees saw the kingdom of God as a vast
courtroom in which the good would be vindicated and the wicked obliterated by
God. Even today I hear people say things that portray a pharisaical
understanding of the kingdom, as though the kingdom were a dreary courtroom
instead of a joyous banquet. Nowhere did Jesus ever speak of the kingdom as an
awards banquet to which we must earn entrance by feats of moral heroism.
Instead, He offers us a simple invitation to come and enjoy the feast and share
in His joy. In fact, Mark's gospel says that when Jesus called the disciples,
he called them "that they might be with Him." Jesus our Lord declared the
Kingdom of God as God's gracious invitation to the banquet of
life. Sadly, many ignore the invitation. Others read it, but fail to respond.
However, those few who accept God's invitation discover the hope, joy, and peace
that come from knowing Christ as Lord and Savior and realizing the ultimate gift
of God as citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven.
We are told that there is no shortage of food in our world. It is reported that currently there is more than enough food to feed every person on the planet, yet there are millions who are starving. The problem is not in supply; it is in distribution. Likewise, spiritually speaking, there is more than enough mercy, grace and love in the heart of God to supply the world and yet many people are starving for the those basic requirements for spiritual sustenance. Again, the problem is not supply; it is distribution; PLUS, the willingness of those needy recipients to accept what they need.
There is a great line from the musical production, "Auntie Mame", which describes this condition, "All the world's a banquet and most poor fools are starving to death" - a pretty good description of the spiritual state of much of the world. The gospel invites everyone to the banquet of life. God, in Christ, came into this world of sin and sorrow to show us a better way of living and to tell us about a future with hope. God loves us more than we can possibly understand. God forgives us more than we could possibly deserve. The message of Jesus is God's INVITATION TO THE BANQUET OF LIFE: LIFE HERE AND NOW AND LIFE THAT IS ETERNAL.
We are told that there is no shortage of food in our world. It is reported that currently there is more than enough food to feed every person on the planet, yet there are millions who are starving. The problem is not in supply; it is in distribution. Likewise, spiritually speaking, there is more than enough mercy, grace and love in the heart of God to supply the world and yet many people are starving for the those basic requirements for spiritual sustenance. Again, the problem is not supply; it is distribution; PLUS, the willingness of those needy recipients to accept what they need.
There is a great line from the musical production, "Auntie Mame", which describes this condition, "All the world's a banquet and most poor fools are starving to death" - a pretty good description of the spiritual state of much of the world. The gospel invites everyone to the banquet of life. God, in Christ, came into this world of sin and sorrow to show us a better way of living and to tell us about a future with hope. God loves us more than we can possibly understand. God forgives us more than we could possibly deserve. The message of Jesus is God's INVITATION TO THE BANQUET OF LIFE: LIFE HERE AND NOW AND LIFE THAT IS ETERNAL.
In
Christ,
Brown
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