Craig Clouston

 By Invitation Only

June 3

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, wait-

ing 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.”