The Banquet Table- WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

I have a friend who sent me the following exhortation.  He is a very smart, funny pastor in Little Rock with a gift for using words in very creative ways.  When I read his words I laughed, but then it got me thinking about the wonderful feast at God's banquet table that we've been invited to.  For that reason, I wanted to concentrate this week's devotional series on the subject.  Read Bishop Smith's words.  Laugh with me with the thoughts conveyed and then let's use them as a jumping off point for enjoying the feast God wants to give us.  If you are hungry, His feast will fill your soul and we need to eat of this banquet everyday to fill those hunger pains.

Now I would like to share the following scripture to get us started toward that banquet I speak of, for Jesus uses a food metaphor as well.  I guess that is because He knows that men like to eat.

You've likely heard this passage many times before, but please do not glance over it without understanding the depth of what Jesus is saying.  When Jesus speaks of a meal, He is referring to intimate fellowship with Him, almost like family members relate to one another.  I say "almost" for some of us would not like the comparison because of coming from a dysfunctional family member or family experience.  You may not have had a good experience there.  But for those of you like this, you need to understand that our greatest hurts generally come from family members for we are created by God to respond to our family either positively or negatively.  It is a need that exists within us to relate to family members in the closest way possible.  The need is there, although many times it is unfulfilled.  But Jesus does not disappoint us.  He fills this need.  People are imperfect, and that includes you and me.  Our friends and family are imperfect friends and family, as we are to them.  But Jesus does not bring that to our relationship.  We bring it to Him which He accepts.  But He does not bring any imperfections to our relationship.  That is the feast we are invited to.

In the passage above we see that Jesus moved first in meeting this need of ours.  He said that He stands at the door and is knocking.  He's done His part so far by coming to you and me.  But it requires an answer by us.  He said that we must open the door if we hear Him knocking.  Some would ask how do we know it's Him knocking?  A good way to know it is him is to ask if you are hungry.  What's going on in your life that lacks an answer, and is something missing in your life?  I'm not talking food here.  I'm talking about being hungry for something more spiritually that you are not getting in your present diet.  Are you soul hungry?

Brothers, if you are soul hungry then everything I will share with you this week will set the table for a feast that will fill your need.  We will start to serve that meal tomorrow and by week's end you will be capping it off with desert.  It's something called "Heavenly," or something like that.  Talk to you tomorrow.  Bon appétit