A CERTAIN man made a great supper, and bade many" (Luke 14). Supper is the last meal before midnight. Sinner, the night of judgment is rapidly nearing. The heavy clouds are gathering; already the mutterings of the storm are heard by the circumcised ear, and the tempest of divine wrath is about to sweep over a guilty world. This Christ-rejecting age is about to be visited by the Lord of Glory, and “they shall not escape." Sinner, be warned in time. Partake of God's last meal; embrace the final call of the Gospel, — "Come, for all things are now ready.” Come, take your place at God's feast of grace, ere the supper of judgment claim you for its guest.
God's supper-table is spread. His love has provided the rich and magnificent entertainment, dressed the table, prepared ample room for all the guests, offers a hearty and generous welcome to all, for it is "a great supper," and "many" are bidden. It is altogether a scene and entertainment worthy of God, Now look at the terms of the invitation. There is no question of character raised, or of respectability, or of moral or of religious standing. None are excluded. Simple, full, and free is the gracious invitation, —" Come, for all things are now ready." Now herein is a marvel! The invited guests will not come. Most politely do men reject the gospel of God's grace. Thousands are falling into hell with the courteous rejection of Christ on their very lips, — "I pray thee have me excused." Is this, dear reader, your answer to God's entreaties to His calls of love?
Now, what is God's answer to the general refusal of the guests? “I must have sinners made happy; they must share my joy, and partake of my feast of grace and love." Hence He says," Compel them to come in, that my house may be filled." People foolishly discuss the question as to the number of the saved. We can answer the question when you can tell us the size of God's house. “That my house may be filled," such is the largeness and freeness of God's grace to a perishing world!
Well, Lord, Thou hast gathered the chairs around the table, Thou hast spread the feast, but where are the guests? God provides the feast, the chair, as also the guest, for
“Twas the same grace that spread the feast,
That sweetly forced me in,
Else I had still refused to taste,
And perished in my sin.
The feast tells of God's unutterable joys. It is the place of love and light, where there is no bursting heart nor stained conscience. Inside with Christ. Inside where the music, and dancing, and singing of heaven thrill every heart. Do you say, “I am not fit for such a scene; it is all too much for a poor sinner to enjoy"? That is true; but this rich, joyous, and present salvation is worthy of God to bestow. The sinner deserves hell. My work fits me for the lake of fire, but Christ's deserves the heights of glory, and His work merits the "Paradise of God." For every soul of man it is either the depths of hell (Luke 16), or the heights of glory (Eph. 2). What is due to the "first man" is the former, what is due to the "second man" is the latter. Are you connected with the man in judgment, or with the man in glory? Are you a believer on Jesus? Are you resting your guilty soul on His finished work? Why delay another hour? Oh, will "too late! too late!" be your eternal mournful and despairing cry? Salvation is within thy grasp. It is offered thee without money and without price. Neither your tears, experiences, feelings, prayers, or religious duties can avail. Nay, they only hinder, for God's Son has paid the price, has shed His precious blood.
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved," and then will be able to sing, —
“He opened, I could only see whosoever;'
Against no name was written never.'
I searched till I was satisfied
That whosoever meaneth me—
And whosoever will' beside.
W. S.