A Full House
Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and from our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
All things are now ready. It is finished. Creation is
restored. God has made peace with man. He has given His Son to us, who has
given us life by His resurrection. And still He gives. Jesus gives His body and
His blood, given into death and shed on the cross, for you to eat and drink for
the forgiveness of sins. All things are ready. There is nothing to add. God has
made a Sacrifice. The Temple
is torn down and replaced with God in flesh. There is nothing to wail about at
those ruins. God has removed His wrath.
Yet we make excuses. How awful it must be. This is their
only day to sleep in; golf is really important; Church is boring. Yes, they’ll wake
up at 4am for a fishing trip. They’ll wait in line for hours to get a good deal
on Black Friday. But getting up to be fed by God is too much effort. The
excuses are as plentiful as they are worthless. But tell the truth: which of us
has not sat in this very room and wished it were over already? Which of us has
not been bored in church and daydreamed of lunch and appointments for the week,
of fame and fortune and dreams come true? And which of us has come to this
place and dreamed of evil or plotted to sin? We’ve lusted and coveted, lied and
blasphemed, all within sight of the altar, while the Word of God was read and
His great love proclaimed. It is not just those who are missing who are guilty.
Excuses are cheap and plentiful.
Proud and arrogant men think that they can prey upon the
generosity and patience of God. Who hasn’t wanted the best of both worlds? We
desire the pleasures of the flesh, honor among men, luxuries, freedom, and
constant amusement; and we desire the joys and peace of heaven. But it doesn’t
work that way. Who is ready to lose job, family, reputation, and wealth for the
Kingdom of God? We promised that at confirmation.
Did we really mean it? Our financial debts are evidence that we do not like to
wait.
Repent. Hear and heed the warning. “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. God is
not fooled by superficial acts and lip-service, nor is He appeased by excuses.
He desires mercy, not sacrifice. Stop thinking that your sins are reasonable
and bring no guilt or that God’s grace is a license to sin. Repent. Repent now.
We have only one case of death-bed repentance in all of Scripture, so while no one
should despair and think it is too late, neither should anyone presume. The
invitation is for today, right now. All things are ready.
God has done all things for you. He has taken up your
flesh, suffered, died, and rose for you. He has endured Hell’s fury. He crushed
the serpent’s head. He has dissolved the chains of guilt and shame that held
you. He has flung open wide the gates of heaven. The flaming sword of Eden has been quenched in
the blood of the Lamb. The angel of death passes over. You are safe. There is
no one to accuse you. God Himself, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, loves you and
beckons you to the feast. He wants you.
Do not be afraid. Do not think yourself unworthy. Do not
dwell upon your past sins. They are gone. They are forgiven. Are you are weak
and weary, heartbroken and lonely, wracked with guilt and uncertainty? Come.
All things are ready. It has been prepared for you: the greatest and the least,
the outcasts and losers, the popular athletes and scholars, the divorced failures
and the wealthy politicians. Come, one and all, to the Feast! Leave behind
these temporary things. You belong to God. He brought you to His house this day
for the feast. Come. Eat His body; drink His blood.
All things are
ready. Whatever you’ve done, whatever evil things you’ve dreamed and thought,
whatever lies you’ve told, God has paid for it all in His Son. He wants you to
feast, to be washed clean and reunited again with Him, to be full, satisfied,
at peace. Come. All things are ready. 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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