You’re Invited
Thanksgiving is a time to gather and celebrate the good things in our lives with the people we love. However, Thanksgiving isn’t perfect, even for the most loving and healthy families. Some worry about family conflict as they gather. Others have an empty seat where a loved one once sat or may not have family to gather with at all. The holidays can bring joy, but they can also bring grief, leaving us with a strange feeling of longing for “home”—even when we’re cozy and surrounded by the people and places we love most.
Isaiah 25 describes a future banquet to which we are invited. It’s a comforting passage, especially for those who struggle during the holidays, reminding us that even at their very best, our holiday gatherings here on earth cannot compare to the joy we’ll experience in heaven—a place where every tear will be wiped from our eyes. Let’s take a moment to read and reflect on this passage together:
“In Jerusalem, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will spread a wonderful feast for all the people of the world. It will be a delicious banquet with clear, well-aged wine and choice meat. There he will remove the cloud of gloom, the shadow of death that hangs over the earth. He will swallow up death forever! The Sovereign Lord will wipe away all tears. He will remove forever all insults and mockery against his land and people. The Lord has spoken! In that day the people will proclaim, ‘This is our God! We trusted in him, and he saved us! This is the Lord, in whom we trusted. Let us rejoice in the salvation he brings!’” — Isaiah 25:6-9 (NLT)
The entire world is invited to this table. I’m humbled and filled with gratitude when I think about this: the unconditional love of God made a way for me to have a seat at this table, even though I’m not worthy on my own. It’s a place where we’ll reunite with loved ones who are already with Jesus. It’s a place where every homesick heart will be satisfied, and we’ll see Jesus face to face. I can’t wait to be a part of this wonderful day!
There’s just one condition: we have to be ready. Jesus describes this table in a parable found in the gospels. Many were invited, good and bad alike. Some were too busy. Others didn’t come with the proper attire for a wedding banquet, and they were turned away (Matthew 22:2-14). How do we make sure we’re ready with “proper clothes”?
It’s not something we can do on our own—it’s allowing Jesus to wash us “white as snow” from our sins! Scripture illustrates this forgiveness as a garment washed white in multiple places (Isaiah 1:18, Psalm 51:7, Revelation 7:14). We must accept Jesus as Lord and Savior to be forgiven of our sins; he is the only way to the Father (John 14:6).
God loves you so much that he gave his one and only Son on the cross to pay the price for every wrong you’ve ever done. He’s invited you to the table. He wants you there! Are you coming? If you’ve never accepted Jesus as your Savior, take a moment to pray this prayer with me:
Jesus, I confess that I am a sinner and need your grace and forgiveness in my life. I believe you died on the cross so that I can be forgiven. I accept you as Lord and Savior of my life. Help me live in a way that is pleasing to You. Amen!
If you prayed this prayer for the first time, it’s important to find someone who can help you in your new journey of following Jesus! Getting plugged into a local church or reaching out to a believer you know is life-changing. (If you don’t know where to start, we’d be honored to help—just send us a message at info@the31.co!) Congratulations, and welcome to the family of God!
No matter what the holidays look like for you, may you find comfort in knowing that this world is not our forever home, that God knows every tear you’ve cried, that he loves you deeply, and that one day he’ll make everything right as we join him around the most beautiful table of all time.
