June 4 | Revelation 22:12-21

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DAILY READING

Revelation 22:12-21

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REFLECTION

Come and See!

by Mary Kate Hipp

Come!

I have recently been pondering the invitation of the Gospel: come. Come and rest (Psalm 23; Matt 11), come and sit at His feet (Luke 11), come and taste and see that the Lord is good (Psalm 34), come and be free (John 10:10), come and behold (John 1:14), come and be His. Throughout Jesus' ministry, he invites many people to "come and see." Jesus proclaims, "Let the little children come to me," (Matt. 19:14).

So, come. Something I love about the Lord is that He is not forceful, He does not aggressively demand we follow or love Him. He is gentle and lowly. He is kind to invite us into this great kingdom. He desires faithful love and not sacrifice (Hosea 6:6) He invites us, His children, to come and see.

It is so beautiful to me that in the beginning; we read that God calls the chaotic waters into order, and then throughout Scripture we read a plethora of narratives about water—how He is the living water, how He calms the seas, how He parted the red sea for the deliverance of His people, etc. And in the final verses of this great story—the Bible—He beckons to us and invites us to quench our thirst with the water of life if we so choose. Again, a gentle invitation.

In the mundanity of life, I often forget what a wondrous invitation this is! The creator of the universe, the beginning and the end, the alpha and omega, the one who calms the seas, gently invites me, invites you to come.

This great invitation is walking into life from death. It sets the captives free, the blind now see, the lame now leap with joy. Our hardened hearts are brought to life. We are accepted into the family of God. He gives us life and life to the full. We are transformed by the Gospel. We are called out of darkness into light. We are renewed day by day. We are called His. The list goes on!

Many of you readers are long-time followers of Jesus. You have responded to this kind invitation already! But today, on behalf of the Spirit, I would like to extend this invitation again: come thirst no more. Come, may your thirst be quenched by the Spirit, and may you also aid in inviting others into this great family of God!

PRAYER

Lord ,we are enamored by you. The King of the universe steps down to dwell with us and invites us to come. How amazing are you, Oh God? May we never lose our awe and wonder of you and forget this great invitation. Amen.

June 3 | Isaiah 25:6-9

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DAILY READING

Isaiah 25:6-9

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REFLECTION

The Best Gift

by Pr. Dave Mann

Isaiah speaks to three different periods–-sometimes the timeline concurrent with the prophet’s life, sometimes into the future to the life of the suffering servant, i.e., the Messiah, and sometimes envisioning the end of the age. Isaiah 25:6-9 speaks into this third time, the culmination of the age, The Day of the Lord.

Jesus spoke in a parable, foreshadowing the great banquet in the new heaven and new earth (Matthew 22:4ff & Luke 14:15ff). He also announced the great banquet in Matthew 8:11: I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and they will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.

In a vision, John saw the marriage supper of the Lamb, the bridegroom, with his bride, the church (Revelation 19:7-9). In the new heaven and new earth, every tear will be wiped away and death shall be no more (Revelation 20:4).

However, Isaiah is the first to write about this event in our Bible. In Isaiah 2:2ff., the prophet foretold the Day when Mount Zion would be exalted above all other mountains, and all peoples will come together on Mt. Zion in peace. Isaiah 25 speaks of more specific blessings the Lord will give his bride. 

What will be the greatest gift that God will give to his people? Many believers imagine what they will enjoy the most in heaven. Isaiah 25 lists several. Which will you enjoy most?

• Verse 6: Rich foods—the best of meat and the best of wines. Having lived in several other cultures, I can tell you that what one ethnic group considers “the best,” that is, the most flavorful and the most appreciated is not always equally admired by others. How God will pull off serving “the best” to all people groups in a single event will be a great miracle. 
  

• Verse 7-8: God will destroy the shroud that envelopes all people, death itself. The Lord has already announced from the cross and the empty tomb that he has overcome death. But on that great Day, there will be no more death in all the creation.
  

• Verse 8: Because of the swallowing up of death, God will wipe away every tear. The Almighty himself will comfort all who have had a tear descent across the cheek.
  

• Verse 8: God will remove disgrace from his people. Embarrassments that wound the spirit will be removed.

But what will be the great gift of all for God’s people? The gift of God himself. God’s presence, dwelling amid a forgiven and redeemed people, will be the most amazing moment since the dawn of time. We will be amazed. We all will exclaim: Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us!

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, the Lamb, the Bridegroom, and the host of the banquet, we look forward to that great moment when you will gather us around your table. I can’t imagine feeling worthy to sit at such a gathering, but by your grace alone I will be there. And I shall be present, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

June 2 | Luke 14:15-24

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DAILY READING

Luke 14:15-24

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REFLECTION

A Party Like No Other

by Elaine Pierce

I planned what I thought would be a small gathering at our lake cottage to celebrate my husband's birthday. Imagine my surprise - and delight - when everyone I invited said they would love to come! Our small cottage was overflowing with well-wishers, and we had a great time, even though we were a little crowded.

What would it feel like to send out party invitations and get responses like the ones in today's passage?

• I've just bought a field - sorry, I can't make it.

• I just bought five new oxen, and I've got to try them out - sorry.

• I just got married - no can do.

They seem like pretty lame excuses, don't they? And they were turning down an invitation to a great banquet! When the host's servants returned and relayed these sorry excuses to their boss, he was understandably furious. So what did he do? Did he give up and cancel the party? He did not. He invited 'the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame (v. 21). And when there was still room at the banquet table, he ordered his servants to 'go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in so that my house will be full (v 23).'

Jesus wants all who call on his name to experience the banquet feast of forgiveness, grace, and eternal life. Faith isn't reserved for a chosen few. Oh, no - all who call on his name will be saved. Rejoice that his banquet table is open to all who believe and that includes you and me. Thanks be to God!

PRAYER

Lord, I accept your invitation to the banquet feast! Heaven will certainly be a party like no other, and I look forward to the joy of entering into your presence. Help me today and every day to accept your grace and forgiveness, and to invite others to join me in singing your praises. Amen.