12. A Wonderful Invitation

A Wonderful Invitation
Come, for all things are now ready. Luke 14. 17.

This is another invitation from the Lord! It is simple and right to the point, so that no one can misunderstand it. He has arranged it so that this wonderful invitation should fall into your hands today.

It begins with the tender word "Come," which is so full of meaning. This is one of the first words we learned as children. Our parents used it when they opened their arms to receive us. We staggered and even fell in our first attempts to come. Later as we grew stronger, we could run and throw ourselves into their arms. Today this same word "Come" is spoken to us by our Lord, whose love far surpasses that of our parents. He has used the word "Come" in many other invitations. Two such that have been answered by many are: "Come now, let us reason together, saith Jehovah: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool'' (Isaiah 1. 18), and "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest'' (Matthew 11. 28). Besides these, hundreds of other similar invitations have been given us to come to Him.

Here you are invited to an elaborate affair. Read your invitation again. Notice carefully its wording: "All things are now ready." Ponder the words "all things,'' for they are packed full of meaning. There has been no sparing of expense to make this feast possible. Before "all things" were ready it had cost God the Father an awful price. He gave His best, for we read, "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son'' (John 3. 16). It cost Christ His life, for He "gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us out of this present evil world'' (Galatians 1. 4). Nothing more could have been done than has been done. Indeed "all things are now ready."

The invitation ends with the words "now ready. "This is not something to take place a year from now. When we are told that dinner is "now ready" we do something about it right away. Our Lord also has prepared a feast and stands ready to serve us. If you are weary, tired, starved, weak or depressed, then come, for the serving is ready to start. Strange as it may seem, a place has been set for you. How fortunate then that God's invitation reached you today!

What shall be your answer to such an invitation? No one else can answer it for you. God addressed it to you, and He awaits your answer. It demands your immediate attention. There are three ways in which this invitation has been dealt with in the past. Some read it, but do nothing about it. To them God's word applies, "How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?" (Hebrews 2. 3). Others read it and give excuses. God, however, accepts no excuses but says of all who make them, "None of those men that were bidden shall taste of my supper'' (Luke 14. 24).

The third and last group accept the invitation. They hurriedly send word back, "Lord I come." One of the best answers ever given to this invitation, one which you, too, can use as your answer if you so desire, is the words of the hymn writer:

"Just as I am, without one plea
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidd'st me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come!''

Maynard Force
My Hearts Desire
Augustana Book Concern 1949