| 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 the man standing behind the podium. "Your name, sir?" he asked 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 place-card with my name written on it in a deep, dark red. As I
browsed over the 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, 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 pointing to the front of the room.
"His Name is Jesus."
Turning, I saw a man whose 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 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 will be 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
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 has 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 me to come back as often as I liked for another helping of 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 asked.
"These are reserved tables....but the individuals whose names are on each place-card
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 yea therefore into all
nations," He said as I turned to leave.
I walked into God's Grace dirty
and hungry. Stained in my 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 the Lord. I'll go. I'll spread the Word. I'll share the gospel........I'll hand
out 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"
~ AUTHOR UNKNOWN |
