September, 2004 

Saving a Place For You.

A story is told about a poor man who receives an invitation to what appears to be a very fine dinner party. Upon reaching the place he peers in to see that the people in attendance are having a great time! Their faces seem to glow with joy. The man, however, is not dressed properly for the event, but he decides to trust the words on the invitation, “Come as you are. No jacket required.”

Upon entering the party, he’s surprised that has a table reserved for him and that no one seems to even notice the filth that he’s covered with. He is seated and given a menu. On the menu are things like “peace,” “joy,” “blessings,” “assurance,” “love,” “mercy,” and “hope.” He learns that the ‘Special of the Day’ is in fact “Salvation” which gives the patron heaping portions of everything on the menu! The man as hurriedly as perhaps hysterically yells at the waiter, “I’ll take it!” But then just as quickly his emotions turn sad as he realizes that he is dirty and undeserving of such things, and besides he couldn’t afford them anyway.

That’s when he’s introduced to Jesus – who has paid his bill! The man wants to try to work to repay Jesus, but instead, Jesus tells him simply to come to Him, repent, and be made clean. The man does and is given beautiful new clothes. But before the man leaves, Jesus points out to him the many empty tables at the party – they are reserved tables, but whose guests have not accepted their invitation to dine. The man is then given invitations to hand out for Jesus.

In the story, the name of the place was “God’s Grace.” I’d like to suggest to you that we change the front of that menu to read, “Saving Grace” – the name of our church! May ours be a place where dirty sinners are welcomed, even INVITED to come as they are, hurting, broken and broke. And when they arrive, may they be greeted by the faces of people just like them, only transformed by the life and love Jesus offered each of us! May they receive a healthy portion of all the peace, joy, mercy, love and hope that Jesus provides. And may they hear in our actions, if not in our words, “Welcome! We’ve been saving a place for you.”