I
shook my head in disbelief. This couldn't be
the right place. After all, I couldn't
possibly be welcome here. I had been given an
invitation several times, by several
different people, and had finally decided to
see what this place was all about. But, this
just couldn't be the right place. 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
of 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 point 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
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
-
Author Unknown
