God Speaking

“A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’” (Matthew 3:3)

Our family is very much into preparing this week. We are eagerly awaiting relatives from Australia to visit and expectations of joyous times together are running high. To ensure that everything will be perfect from just the right food / to who is going to host family parties/ where will we take our guests etc. is very much a part of all our thoughts, as all family members want our loved ones to enjoy every moment of their stay, and of course we are also anticipating enjoying them! Eating together is always a wonderful way of fellowshipping with those we love and as I was yet again going over a menu that I had planned to give during the visit I was reminded of how often in Scripture we find verses where the Lord is describing how much he loves us by painting a beautiful picture of dining with him and how eagerly he awaits our visits.

“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.” (Isaiah 25:6)

And again David marvels in the fact that the Lord prepares to dine with him even though foes may be around;

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies…” (Psalm 23:5)

He is willing to spend lots of time in preparing the very best for those who love him and whom he loves. He also expects the invited to this sumptuous feast to do some preparing so they also will enjoy the beautiful time of fellowship, just as our guests had to do quite a bit of preparing to come to see us. They had to make the conscious effort to be available to make the journey. Time had to be set aside/ air plane tickets had to be purchased/ setting up just the right time to visit. It would have been foolish to just think about being with us; steps had to be taken to ensure it happened. I think this was the message that John the Baptist was bringing to the people when he was announcing the wonderful arrival of the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ

“…Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.” (Mathew 3:3)

Even guests invited to any dinner party must prepare in some way to accept the hospitality. As I was reading the other day a card fell out from my book. It stated that if I brought this card to a local coffee shop I could have a free coffee. I had neglected to do so and now as I examined the card I found it had expired. I had not been prepared to make the effort to take the card to the shop. I had missed out!!

Jesus tells a very graphic picture of missing out in the parable of the king who prepares a beautiful banquet (Matthew 22:1- 14) and those invited are not prepared to give up other pursuits to attend. How sad for them and how sad for the king.

Accepting the Lord’s beautiful offer of fellowship with him is so easy, all that is needed to prepare is a willing heart and the ultimate result will be this;

“…’Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’…” (Revelation 19:9)