Good morning:
Have you tried out a new restaurant lately? Maybe it’s been around for years, but you just never noticed it before. Imagine dining there and discovering that everything about it: the food, the ambience, and the serving staff was incredible. Wouldn’t the thought cross your mind, “If only someone had told me about this long ago!” Wouldn’t you want to spread the word to others?
In His holy Word the Lord spreads out the most lavish, extravagant buffet ever assembled. “On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine—the best of meats and the finest of wines” (Is. 25:6). And even though it cost the Son of God His life, it’s given free of charge to all people. “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost” (Is. 55:1). It’s the feast of salvation, that glorious meal for the soul in the message of sin paid for and forgiven by Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Realizing our sin and living in an evil world, we hunger for that feast. We long to “fill up” on the gospel good news in our personal Bible reading, family devotions, and especially when we gather in the Lord’s house around His Word. But how many people are there who do not know about this food for the soul, people who are starving spiritually, who are gorging themselves on the “junk food” of the latest spiritual trends or self-help programs? How many are there who if they heard about the Savior would say, “Why didn’t someone tell me sooner?” How many people will there be on the last day who will mourn, “Why didn’t someone tell me before it was too late?”
The feast of salvation is not just for us, but for all people. There is plenty for all! Whom can we tell—as individuals, as a congregation, as a church body? Is there someone you could tell today about the forgiveness, peace, and life only Jesus gives? Let us “taste and see that the Lord is good,” and then tell others, “Come, this feast is for you too!”
Yours in Christ,
Pastor
Seminar tonight: The Christianity and Islam seminar begins at 7 p.m. in the garden house (the smaller stone building) at Boerner Botanical Gardens, Hales Corners. Park in the main parking lot and walk past the new building to the garden house. The seminar will include a presentation by Missionary David Koenig, as well as a Q & A opportunity and refreshments. Bring a guest. Everyone is welcome.
Mission Festival tomorrow: Keep in mind the schedule change for tomorrow: At 9:30 a.m. there will be a mission presentation, followed by one service at 10:45 a.m. All are invited to stay after the service for a potluck meal. Children and choir will rehearse at 9:00 a.m. (No Sunday school tomorrow).