Now it is necessary to tell you about how angry some people were when they heard that John was still preaching. At times men went to great trouble to keep people from going to hear God’s Word.
Many poor people in a town called Helstone would gladly have gone to hear the preaching. However, a rich man named Sir Francis ruled the people in that town. Each year he made a wonderful Christmas supper which he gave free of charge to the poor. Sir Francis did not want the poor people to go hear John’s preaching, so he stood just outside the church and called in a loud voice to all those who came out, “If any man dares to hear these fellows, he shall not come to my Christmas supper.”
Sad to say, these poor people turned away from God’s wonderful invitation to His supper in heaven. God invites all to “Come”, for He says, “All things are now ready.” The poor people of Helstone chose instead the supper a rich man gave at Christmas time. No doubt they enjoyed a merry party at that supper, but they did not know then that it was the last Christmas supper that Sir Francis ever gave. Before the next year, Sir Francis died and left this world to stand before God.
Boys and girls, don’t you forget that God’s blessed invitation to “come” is far more wonderful than any invitation you may receive in this world. Do not turn away from God’s joys that will never end for the brief suppers and parties you can find in this world. “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:2828Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28).