It’s been a big weekend!
We now return to our regularly scheduled Lenten devotional series.

Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. Isaiah 55:1-2

   Pastor John Piper calls this passage “The Great Invitation”. Through the prophet Isaiah, God calls out, “Hey! Hey, you! Come! No really! Come on! You’re invited!” How kind of God to beg His own creations to come to Him.

   Two types of people are invited to God’s party. The first are those who have nothing to contribute. They have no money, no means to pay for what they need, but they are thirsty. God says, “Even though you have no resources, no power, no prestige, no pull, you are just the kind of person I want. Come and enjoy the banquet!”

  The second group of people who are issued invitations are those who have plenty of money to spend and plenty of strength to work, yet are unfulfilled and empty. They are just as thirsty as the others, but think they can pay or work their way to satisfaction. God urges them to come as well.

   What does God offer at His banquet? Water for refreshment, milk for nourishment and wine for good spirit and cheer. Piper writes, “God is willing to revive us from the heat of Death Valley with the miracle of his water; and make us strong and healthy and stable with the miracle of his milk; and then give us endless and ever-fresh exhilaration with the miracle of his wine.”

   How will you respond to this invitation? It doesn’t matter if you are short on cash or rolling in riches, your soul thirsts for truth and life. Come to God’s banquet and see what it’s like for your soul to delight in the richest of fare.

Lord, this is an invitation I can’t refuse. Here is my RSVP: count me in. I bring only myself and my thirst. Thanks for Your generous hospitality.