COME ENJOY A FEAST WITH FRIENDS
“And I tell you this, that many Gentiles will come from all over the world—from east and west—and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the feast in the Kingdom of Heaven.”
Matthew 8:11 (NLT)
I don’t know about you, but sometimes I find people annoying. There are times I resonate with the Peanuts character Linus, who once famously said I love mankind … it's people I can't stand. One day, that won’t be a problem.
The Jews in Jesus’ day had the same mistaken idea that some Christian denominations have today. They believe they are the chosen ones, and only they have the right doctrine, so they will be the only group in heaven. Jesus shocked His listeners when He not only complimented the faith of a Roman military officer but also said that in the resurrected life on the new earth, there will be many Gentiles enjoying a feast with Old Testament saints like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
The picture Scripture gives us of heaven is not you sitting on a cloud by yourself, or everyone bowing before Jesus, singing and worshipping for eternity, only interacting with Christ. The apostle John tells us, I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. Some see that as the only thing we will be doing, but Scripture also gives us a picture of feasts, celebrations, relationships and conversations. Heaven will be an incredible, joyful community full of people from every culture. And none of us will be marred by sin.
There will be billions of people to get to know, including all those individuals we read about in the Old and New Testaments. Just as the disciples recognized Moses and Elijah on the Mount of Transfiguration, even though they died centuries earlier, many believe you will recognize everyone in heaven, and they will recognize you. Every relationship you have here will be even richer in heaven.
We will have all of eternity to hear each other’s stories and celebrate how God’s goodness and grace were a part of our lives from the moment we were born. It is hard to imagine the joy, love, community, and work we will experience together.
APPLICATION: Invest in relationships now. Each one will be a part of God’s eternal kingdom.
PRAYER: Thank You, Lord, for the people You have placed in my life, and help me continue to make time for meaningful relationships. Amen.
"… Our Father in heaven…" Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
• What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
"… may your name be kept holy." Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
• What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
"May your Kingdom come soon." Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
• Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
"Give us today the food we need," Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
• Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I'm around today?
"and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us" Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
• Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
"And don't let us yield to temptation…" Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
• Is there anywhere I'm vulnerable to temptation?