Quickly, I glanced down at the invitation that I clutched in
my
hand. I scanned past the words, "Come as you are. No jacket required"
and
found the location. Yes, I was at the right place. I peered through
the
window again and saw a room of people whose faces seemed to glow with
joy.
All were neatly dressed, adorned in fine garments and appeared
strangely
clean as they dined at this exquisite restaurant.
Ashamed, I looked down at my own tattered and torn
clothing
,
covered in stains. I was dirty, in fact, filthy. A foul smell seemed to
consume me and I couldn't shake the grime that clung to my body. As I
turned around to leave, the words from the invitation seemed to leap
out at
me......"Come as you are. No jacket required."
I decided to give it a shot. Mustering up every bit of courage
I
could find, I opened the door to this restaurant and walked up to a
man
standing behind
a podium. "Your name, sir?" he asked me with a smile.
"Jimmy D. Brown," I mumbled without looking up. I thrust my
hands
deep into my pockets, hoping to conceal their stains.
He didn't seem to notice the filth that I was covered in and
he
continued, "Very good, sir. A table is reserved in your name.
Would
you like to be seated?"
I couldn't believe what I heard! A grin broke out on my face
and
I said, "Yes, of course!" He lead me to a table and, sure enough, there
was
a placard with my name written on it in a deep, dark red. As I
browsed
over a menu, I saw many delightful items listed. There were things
like,
"peace," "joy," "blessings," "confidence," "assurance," "hope,"
"love,"
"faith," and "mercy." I
realized that this was no ordinary restaurant! I flipped the
menu back to the front in order to see where I was at..."God's Grace"
was
the name of this place!
The man returned and said, "I recommend the 'Special of the
Day'
.
With it, you are entitled to heaping portions of everything on this
menu."
You've got to be kidding! I thought to myself. You mean, I can
have ALL of this? "What is the 'Special of the Day'? I asked with
excitement ringing in my voice.
"Salvation," was his reply
. "I'll take it," I practically cried out
.
Then, as quickly as I made that statement, the joy left my
body.
A sick, painful ache jerked through my stomach and tears filled my
eyes.
Between my sobs I said... "Mister, look at me. I'm dirty and nasty.
I'm
unclean and unworthy of such things. I'd love to have all this,
but...
but, I just can't afford it."
Undaunted, the man smiled again. "Sir, your check has already
been taken care of by that Gentleman over there," he said, pointing to
the
front of the room. "His Name is Jesus."
Turning, I saw a man whose very presence seemed to light the
room. He was almost too much to look at. I found myself walking towards
Him
and in a shaking voice I whispered, "Sir, I'll wash the dishes or sweep
the
floors
or take out the trash. I'll do anything I can do to repay you
for
all of this."
He opened His arms and said with a smile, "Son, all of this
is
yours if you just come unto me. Ask me to clean you up and I will.
Ask
me to take away the stains and it is done. Ask me to allow you to
feast at
my table and you will eat. Remember, the table is reserved in your
name.
All you must do is accept this gift that I offer you."
Astonished, I fell at his feet and said, "Please, Jesus.
Please
clean up my life. Please change me and sit me at your table and give me
this new life."
Immediately, I heard the words, "It is finished."
I looked down and white robes adorned my squeaky clean
body.
Something strange and wonderful had happened. I felt new, like a weight
had
been lifted and I found myself seated at His table.
"The 'Special of the Day' has been served," the Lord said to
me.
"Salvation is yours."
We sat and talked for a great while and I so enjoyed the
time
that I spent with Him. He told me, me of all people, that He would like
for
me to come back as often as I liked for another helping from God's
Grace.
He made it
clear that He wanted me to spend as much time with Him as
possible.
As it drew near time for me to go back outside into the "real
world," He whispered to me softly, "And Lo, I am with you always." And
then He said something to me that I will never forget. He said...
"My
child, do you see
these empty tables throughout this room?"
"Yes, Lord. I see them. What do they mean?" I replied.
"These are reserved tables...but the individuals whose names
are
on each placard have not accepted their invitations to dine. Would
you be
so kind as to hand out these invitations to those who have not joined
us
yet?" Jesus asked.
"Of course," I said with excitement as I picked up the
invitations."
"Go ye therefore into all nations," He said as I turned to leave.
I had walked into God's Grace dirty and hungry...stained
in
sin.... my righteousness as filthy rags. And Jesus cleaned me up. I
walked out a brand new man...robed in white, His righteousness. And
so,
I'll keep my promise to my Lord. I'll go. I'll spread the Word.
I'll
share the Gospel... I'll hand out the invitations. And I'll start
with
you. Have you been to God's Grace? There's a table reserved in your
name, and here's your invitation... "Come as you are. No jacket
required."
"For by grace are ye saved through faith: and that not of
yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should
boast." -- Ephesians 2: 8,9
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