Ready
Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and from our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
When Jesus speaks in parables, He’s
explaining how the Kingdom
of God comes. And the Kingdom of God comes in Jesus Christ Himself. In
Christ, the Kingdom
of God is at hand. It is
present, here right now, in the One the Father sent to be slaughtered in your
place, cut to pieces on a cross and prepared for your salvation. It is clear
that the Lord wants everybody in His Kingdom. He wants everyone at the Feast of
His Son.
It is also clear that most won’t
come. Sinners don’t feel the need for such a Feast. In fact, they find the Feast
so worthless that they make excuses not to attend. Those who do come must be
compelled, even dragged in the door. People will be saved in spite of themselves,
simply because of the desire of the One who prepares the Meal. And what a Meal!
As your own favorite meal is prepared by a chef with fancy knives, a
state-of-the-art oven, and an open flame—or however it’s prepared—so the Father
let His Son be offered up in love, and now He is served to you in Word and
Sacraments for your forgiveness. All things are now ready. Nothing is lacking.
But the excuses are as plentiful as
they are creative. “I’ve bought some land, and I have to go see it.” “I’ve
bought oxen and I have to test them.” “I just got married.” The proud and
arrogant think that they can prey upon the generosity and patience of God. My
brothers and sisters in Christ, what is it that keeps you from the Feast? What
prevents you from crying out for the Supper? What sins entangle you too often
and keep you from the Lord’s Table? Now, you might think that this sermon is
being preached to the choir. But who hasn't wanted the best of both worlds: the
pleasures of the flesh, honor among men, luxuries, freedom, and constant
amusement on the one hand, and the joys and peace of heaven on the other? Who
here cries out for the Supper as often as possible? Who here is ready to lose
job, family, reputation, and wealth for the Kingdom of God? We all promised
that in our Confirmation vows. Did we really mean it? Do not think that you can
enjoy forbidden fruit now and grasp heaven for cheap when it is more
convenient.
Repent. Hear the warning. God says,
“None of those who were invited shall
taste of my Supper.” He will not be mocked. Now is the hour of salvation.
Tomorrow may never come. No one buys a piece of land without seeing it first.
No one buys a tractor without first testing it. God is not fooled by
lip-service, by going through the motions. He is not appeased by excuses. Stop
playing games with your soul, planning to sin now and repent later. Stop
thinking that your sins are reasonable and bring no guilt. Stop thinking that
you have some special relationship to God where He indulges your sins. Repent.
Repent now. There is only one case of death-bed repentance in all of the
Scriptures. While no man should despair and think it is too late, neither should
any one presume. The invitation is not for tomorrow. It is for today. It is for
right now. And it is for you.
All things are ready. Nothing is
lacking. It is finished. God has made peace with man. He has given His Son to
us. Jesus has given us life by His resurrection. And still He gives. He gives
His body and blood for you to eat and drink for the forgiveness of sins. He
desires that you call upon Him and rest in Him. He wants you here. Whatever
you've done, whatever evil things you've dreamed and thought, whatever lies
you've told, whatever has held you back from the altar: bring all of it.
Confess it. God has paid for all of it in His Son. Receive His holy Absolution
and live. The land can wait. The oxen—your new tractor—will be there when you
get home. Bring your new spouse with you. Come. All things are ready, and He is
waiting for you. “Blessed is everyone who
will eat bread in the kingdom of God!” In the name of the Father and of the
Son (+) and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
The peace of God which passes all
understanding will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus always. Amen.
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