The last week had really caused me to tremble as I thought of the Cross and the events leading up to it.  You know I was there, all the way to the Cross and the Great Resurrection.  WOW!  All the way to the Resurrection I followed Him.  It makes my heart so glad to know that I did not have to stay in that place of the dark and gloom of the Cross because Jesus did not stay on the cross or in the grave and is not dead because He rose from the grave with all power in His hands and. because of all of this, He lives!  And because He lives, I live.  You live and we can both face tomorrow.  So, all of my trembling about His crucifixion has subsided.  This is why The Host was having this Big Dinner and invited us to attend, to celebrate The Glorious Resurrection of His Son and to enjoy a very special dessert.  The idea that God loved me so much that He sacrificed the greatest love of His life, His only son, just for me and rose again to fulfill the scriptures to prove He was all that He said he was!  WOW!

The Host had told me it was going to be HUGE, but I just did not know how HUGE.  A lot of very important people would be here.  I did a lot of networking too.  You know I made a lot of excuses at first like, I don’t have anything to wear or I really did not have time to stop what I was doing and go party and mingle with a bunch of people I didn’t really know?  I got there a little late, but I made it.  I went mainly because of WHO THE HOST IS.  He has been so very influential in my life and I felt it was the least I could do to honor His invitation and attend.  See it is because of Him that I am where I am and who I am today.  So I am glad that I attended.  He wanted us all there on time, but late comers were all welcomed with open arms. 

You should have seen the spread.  The banquet table stretched on and on.  There was even s a flowing fountain.  Oh, did I tell you it was FREE too, even though He had spared no expense in preparing this big event?  I wondered who all these so called “important people” would be.  Well, I mean to tell you there were people there you would never believe.  It Just about blew my mind.  He must have invited everybody on the planet.  People were there who had been bed ridden, who I thought had no way of getting there.  There were people who some call “street people,” the lamed, crippled, the depressed and lonely, the mentally and physically disabled, backsliders, criminals, alcoholics and drug addicts were even there.  The homeless and poor, the wealthy and people from different other races, religions and cultures were there. 

I just looked across the room I saw some atheists mingling with some hypocrites and devout Christians and Jews.  I got a glimpse of frightened and anxious people, athletes and movie stars and television personalities, proud and haughty people interacting with the humble in spirit, gamblers, doctors, lawyers and other business people, the jobless and your average “plain Joes.”  And would you believe that even government officials took the time to come?  The dinner must not have been limited to any age group either because I saw old people, young men and women, youth, and little boys and girls.  WOW!  It was so overwhelming that anybody in their right mind could or would ever have thought of entertaining some of these people, let alone that many.  He had not left anybody out it seemed.  But you know, it is written that this time would.  Now I am really a believer!

“… God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  (Philippians 2:9-11)  HMM!  That must be why so many are there.

A lot of us spend our entire lives trying to avoid some of these same people.  Yes, I had wondered if I was really ready for this big event.  I had tried to imagine what everybody’s reaction was going to be when they arrived and saw me, and all great the diversity of guests gathered for Big Dinner.   I thought, “How in the world all these people would fit into one house, let alone get along with each other?”  I was hoping also that everyone would know THE WAY.  THE HOST had sent the directions with the invitation so all anyone had to do was just follow them carefully and they shouldn’t get lost.  As an extra precaution He also included maps and a GPS he so He would always know everyone’s location and be able to get them redirected. 

The answers to all my concerns came when I remembered that God had made plans and provisions for each one of us before we were ever anybody’s idea.  David expressed it best in Psalm 139:13-14, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.  He had already assured us that there would definitely be enough room for each one of us in His Father’s house, “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.  John 14:2-3

The crowd was enormous.  See The Host was very wise.   He included the MENU in each personalized invitation He sent out, and you know how people love to eat.  It simply read, “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”  Matthew 11:28  He felt that a FREE MEAL would surely get us all there.  Even though the meal was free, it cost Him everything He had to throw this party because He knew we were well worth it.  That is why.  “For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.  John 3:16

The crowd continued to gather for a very long time and there was room for many more to come.  I don’t remember seeing you arrive.  Everybody was so hungry and ready to be fed so The Host gave the blessing and fed all who were there?  Were you somewhere in the crowd?  Did I just not see you because there were so many people?  Or are you still trying to find you way?  I surely hope so.  Don’t be too late!

The best part was the DESSERT, “New life with Jesus” YUUUUUUMY!  HALLELUJAH!  CHRIST IS RISEN!  CHIRST IS RISEN INDEED!!!

I’ll let you in on a little secret.  I’m still here.  In fact a lot of the guests are still hanging around.  The dessert was what did it.  There is more of everything left, so if you are in the area, shoot me a text.  If you are still trying to get here and you’re lost or stranded, you have all the contact numbers.  Be blessed today and always and know I love you.  I don’t care how you get here.  Just get here if you can.  And also, remember all the others who are in need of “a big dinner.”  There is a standing invitation. abp