Tuesday, July 26, 2011
COME AS YOU ARE. NO JACKET REQUIRED
Author Unknown
July 26, 2011
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 I 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
am 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 as he pointed 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 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
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 invitation to dine. Would you be so kind as to hand out
these invitations to those who have not joined us as 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 you 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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