God’s Invitation

Readings for today: Exodus 22-24, Psalm 24

I love the invitation God extends to the leaders of Israel. He invites them to cross from earth to heaven. From the dimension of this world to the dimension of the world to come. It’s a great reminder to us all that heaven is not “up there” somewhere in outer space but a reality that exists all around us all the time. It’s the dimension where God dwells and it’s the place God is actually preparing for us as His people. The leaders of Israel get a taste of this reality when they ascend Mt. Sinai with Moses. “Go up to the Lord, you and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of Israel’s elders, and bow in worship at a distance. Moses alone is to approach the Lord, but the others are not to approach, and the people are not to go up with him….Then Moses went up with Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of Israel’s elders, and they saw the God of Israel. Beneath his feet was something like a pavement made of lapis lazuli, as clear as the sky itself. God did not harm the Israelite nobles; they saw him, and they ate and drank.” (Exodus‬ ‭24‬:‭1‬-‭2‬, ‭9‬-‭11‬ ‭CSB‬‬) Can you imagine the moment when you cross from rocky ground to pavement made of gemstones and sit down at a table to eat with God? It must have been incredible and it makes the choices some of these men make a little later in the narrative even more heartbreaking.

God’s invitation is still there for us. It’s not just for special people or holy people or people who went to seminary and became pastors. Jesus Himself says He goes to heaven to prepare a place for us so we can live with Him for all eternity. The visions recorded throughout the Bible of the heavenly realm describe it as a place of breathtaking beauty and splendor. And the reality is we can experience a taste of it even in this life. How you ask? Listen to the Psalmist. “Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not appealed to what is false, and who has not sworn deceitfully. He will receive blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. Such is the generation of those who inquire of him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob.” (Psalms‬ ‭24‬:‭3‬-‭6‬ ‭CSB‬‬) God promises that all those who seek Him will find Him if they will seek Him with all their hearts. The key is not perfection but an honest and authentic desire to truly dwell in God’s presence and walk in His ways.

Readings for tomorrow: Exodus 25-27, Psalm 25

Invitation

Readings for today: Isaiah 50-55, 1 Thessalonians 2

I still remember receiving the invitation to attend Princeton Theological Seminary. I was frankly shocked. After all, I was not an impressive candidate for admission. I had flunked out of college and even though I re-applied and finished my degree, my cumulative GPA was not good at all. I had only been a Christian for a few years so my ability to articulate my faith in the essay section of the application was weak at best. My interview didn’t go all that well either as I lacked self-confidence. To this day, I am not sure why Princeton felt led to extend an offer to me to become a student but I will be forever grateful that they did. I loved my time there. I loved the friendships I forged. I loved the atmosphere of academic freedom and learning from some of the most brilliant minds in the world.

One of the greatest blessings for me personally was getting to know Dr. Tom Gillespie. Dr. Gillespie served both as President of the seminary and a New Testament professor. I took two classes from him and got to know him pretty well. He and I would walk to and from class in the basement of Miller Chapel or Stuart Hall and talk about life and ministry. He was a wise mentor who pastored me well. One of my favorite memories of him was when he would lead communion during chapel each week. He always gave the invitation to the Lord’s Table from Isaiah 55:1-3.

“Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant…”

As amazing as the invitation to attend Princeton was for me, it pales in comparison to the invitation the Lord gives us to feast at His Table. At the Table of the Lord, God provides the richest of fare. His own body and blood, freely given to all who would seek Him. The food He provides sustains us through the challenges of this life. The drink He provides quenches every possible thirst. The bread and the cup are signs and symbols of the eternal covenant God has secured for us by offering up His very life. And every time we share in this meal, we remember and proclaim the Lord’s saving death until He comes again.

Every time I read this passage, I am brought to my knees. The words of an old hymn immediately come to mind, “Amazing love! How can it be that Thou, my God, wouldst die for me?” I am not worthy. There was nothing commendable about my life that would attract God’s attention. Nothing admirable about the way I was living that would draw God’s gaze. Nothing holy about my life that would earn God’s favor or demand His respect. I was lost. I was lonely. I was headed for a life of addiction. A life of pain and suffering. A life of disappointment and defeat. Then I met God. And He invited me in to dine with Him and His family. He set me a place at His Table. He quenched my soul’s thirst and satisfied my soul’s hunger and I have never been the same. Friends, His invitation is open to all who would seek Him. His grace is free to all who would believe in Him. Listen diligently to His voice! Incline your ear and come to Him! Hear and believe that your soul may live!

Readings for tomorrow: Isaiah 56-58, 1 Thessalonians 3