We finally celebrated our daughter’s 25th birthday dinner last night. Being born in April didn’t set her up well for a good time in 2020. But steaks, salmon and special drinks were on the menu, along with wonderful conversation and sibling jabs. It was strange though, and a little bit sad, not to have the place packed - not hearing the sounds of many voices delighting in the good food, delighting in one another, making the warm atmosphere of the room bright and bursting with the beautiful color of human celebration. Restaurants are stuck at half capacity rules right now.
This morning I read the familiar parable Jesus told at a dinner party with some well to do religious folks, who as usual were watching him closely to catch him in a religious error. He relayed the story of a man giving a large banquet. He invited people who he knew - likely friends and relations in his wide circle. One by one the folks gave excuses for not coming. In today’s culture, the equivalent reasons might boil down to “I’ve got too much other stuff to do right now. Let’s be practical, maybe when things slow down in my work/relationships/daily distractions.” The man was miffed. Imagine, you are putting on an extravaganza at no small expense, for people you know and love, and the invitation is met with a big fat NO. “You’re not that important to me. I’m not stopping my routine to celebrate with you.”
This man in the parable was exploding with generosity. He was so anxious to share his abundance, that he had his servant go out to the streets and alleys of the city and invite every manner of person. The “respectable, intelligent, elite” people turned him down. So he opened the doors to the poor, blind, maimed, and crippled. He invited the prostitutes, tax collectors, dingbats, swindlers, deadbeats and goofballs of every sort. He wanted to fill that elaborate ballroom with people. He wanted to see people eat, drink, be merry, and generally flourish in every way. And he wanted that banquet hall full of the rejoicing of people loved and forgiven who knew they didn’t deserve it. He crammed them in, serving no doubt the best wine and the finest food, playing the best music and clothing them as they came in with clothes that would make the famous movie costumer Edith Head blush.
Jesus told parables to get at the truth. He’s no respecter of persons. The spiritual banquet of life with Christ is offered to all. Sadly, many turn Him down. But His banquet hall is still filling up, despite what this “world with devil’s filled” (as Martin Luther penned), says or thinks. The penitent man greets the invitation with great gladness of heart. And why wouldn’t he? The invitation to have the rot of sin removed from our souls, to be promised the difficult but satisfying climb of sanctification in this life, and to share a relationship with the dearest, kindest and best the world has ever known... A man would have to be mad to refuse.
As for the Master, He is determined to fill his room, his LARGE room, with many. “Go out into the highways and hedges and make them come in, that my house may be filled.” (Luke 14:23).
Covid19, a world in unspeakable pain, the ugliest lies and divisions - none of these can stop the love of God. He will have His beautiful banquet, and the restaurant will be at full capacity. Bursting at the seams with life and joy. No masks, no closed salad bars, no lack of any good thing.
The question is - the biggest question you’ll ever have to answer - is how will I respond to the invitation.
Your friend on the pilgrim road,
LS
