Craig Clouston

By Invitation Only

Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.
Luke 14:15

She had not always been a popular woman. But today they were begging for an invitation to tonight’s party. Reporters lined the sidewalks by the gate, waiting for her to appear and bless them with an invitation. They stood for hours, waiting.
When the owner of the estate made her appearance, it was brief.
She smiled and read a short, prewritten statement: “As none of you responded to my prior invitations, I have invited a select group to dine with me tonight. My guests will be arriving momentarily. Please be considerate and allow them to pass. Once again, this banquet is by invitation only. Please do not attempt to gain entrance or you will be arrested, and I will press charges against you.”
With that, she returned to the house.
Ten minutes later, limousines from every escort company in the city began pulling up to the gate. They provided proof of invitation and then drove to the large portico and presented their guests to the hostess.
To the paparazzi’s amazement, the guests appeared to be beggars and homeless people. The hostess had them chauffeured from their cardboard homes as though they were royalty!

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In the blink of an eye, all invitations to the feast in the kingdom will be sealed and no more will be issued. The King will determine that the banquet should begin, and there will be no admittance to those who do not have a personal invitation.
Until then, God continues to issue an open invitation to any and all who would receive Him. Because of the blood of Jesus we have the right to RSVP, which is to tell the Host whether or not we plan to attend.
Those who respond will partake of all the goodness of the kingdom. They will be seated in a position of prominence at the King’s table.
And just like those in today’s story, there will be many who will be turned away, never having accepted God’s Son. Admittance to heaven is by invitation only. Have you sent your RSVP?

Prayer

“I gratefully accept Your invitation today, Lord. Thank You for sending Your Son to escort me to the dinner party. Amen.”