THE RICHEST FEAST
“And I tell you this, that many Gentiles will come from all over the world—from east and west—and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the feast in the Kingdom of Heaven.”
Matthew 8:11 (NLT)
In my family, food is a love language. My best memories with my grandparents are around the table, where my grandpa would prepare a huge breakfast of blueberry pancakes, sausage, bacon, grits and eggs. My mom was always cooking and always had an open door. Friends and family and strangers would show up to eat, and relationships were formed around the table.
There’s a connection between food and fellowship. When you open your home and invite people in for a meal, connection happens, and community is built.
Throughout the Bible, there is this imagery of a feast being prepared and the people being called close. Look at verses like Matthew 8:11, 22:1-14, and here in the book of Revelation:
Then I heard again what sounded like the shout of a vast crowd or the roar of mighty ocean waves or the crash of loud thunder: “Praise the LORD! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns. Let us be glad and rejoice, and let us give honor to him. For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb, and his bride has prepared herself. She has been given the finest of pure white linen to wear.” For the fine linen represents the good deeds of God’s holy people. And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb.” And he added, “These are true words that come from God.”
Revelation 19:6-9 (NLT), emphasis added
Our God longs for relationship! He desires to bring His children close! He is preparing the church, the bride of Christ, for that glorious day when we will gather around the table for the wedding feast of the Lamb! It is both a future, eternal promise and a present reality. We will sit at the table in heaven, but we’re now being invited into fellowship with Him.
The invitation to draw close has been sent. The feast has been prepared. It’s now on us to respond.
APPLICATION: Take a moment to read Matthew 22:1-14. Like the farmer and businessman in verse 5, is there something in your life that you’ve prioritized over responding to the Lord’s invitation to draw near?
PRAYER: Father, thank You for inviting me to the table and desiring relationship with me! Create in me a hunger for eternal things and let me be satisfied by You alone. Amen
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?