good food

Have you ever seen one of those movies (you know like, the after-school specials, or a lifetime one) where there is this dysfunctional family? Like, the young adult daughter who has been really rebellious, and the teenage son who has been out partying and failing classes? The picture I had Sunday morning was of the dinner at the end of the movie. The one with the whole family sitting around, and everything is forgiven. Sure, it took a whole 2 hours of plot to get the family at the table, but eventually, they all came home, sat down, and realized they were loved. And the past had been forgiven. Its a cheesy picture, but the kingdom of God is sort of like that, right? The banquet table is used throughout scripture as a metaphor for the kingdom, and its a pretty good one. And in Luke 14, Jesus talks about it. A king issues an invitation, letting people know they are invited to this party. And a bunch of people accept it. Then on the day of the party, another invitation goes out, just letting people know when the party would start (I guess it would be hard to time out dinner when you are cooking over a fire, instead of a microwave). A ton of people decided at that point they couldn't go. And the excuses they give are really lame. Who, in ancient Israel, bought land without looking at it first? Wouldn't have happened. So the king is really insulted, and has his servants go out and invite the homeless and beggars, and people of lower social standing. Great parable.

Ok, so I know we're really like the beggars and homeless, people who weren't worthy of the invitation, but got it anyway, but I was thinking that some of us, if we know Jesus, might also be a bit like the group that got the first invitation. We've accepted. We know Him, and we receive His forgiveness and grace. But how often are we turning down the second invitation, to just come and sit with Him, and share a meal? Spend some time in His presence? I know we get busy. And forgetful. And sometimes, just don't feel like it. But those are pretty lame excuses to not share a meal with the King.

This week, accept the invitation to sit at the banquet table, and enjoy His presence. Know that He loves you with the love of a Father. Be blessed. Let Him pour your cup to overflowing.