Invitation to a Feast

When Prince Harry married Meghan Markle last May, the wedding celebration included a formal dinner reception for 200 guests, a luncheon hosted by the queen for the 600 guests at the wedding, and light refreshments for over 2,000 members of the public who were invited to Windsor Castle to witness the presentation of the newlyweds.

In today’s passage, we find an invitation to a far greater feast. This one extends to “all who are thirsty” and to those who are hungry but have no money (v. 1). The menu includes wine, milk, and “the richest of fare” (v. 2). This abundance will be provided without cost to those who receive it.

In verse 3 through 5, the focus shifts from the invited guests to Israel’s Messiah, indicating that the fulfillment of these promises will happen in the messianic age. God’s promise that the nations would come running to the Messiah means that the invitation in the opening verses also includes Gentiles. Anyone who bows the knee in submission to God’s promised servant will also be welcome (see Phil. 2:9–11).

Although entry is free, those who accept the invitation should repent of their sins: “Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon” (v. 7). The blessings described in the final verses will happen in the future, but the only way to be certain that we will enjoy them is to accept the invitation now. We do not do this by dropping a response card into the mail or by showing an engraved invitation at the door. Instead, we show our acceptance through simple faith. We must take God at His word and say yes to His Son Jesus Christ by acknowledging Him as our Lord and Savior.

Pray with Us

Please include in your prayers today the rest of our Digital Marketing team: Alexandra Horn, Andrew Youngquist, David Kyrouac, Dominic Kindler, and Elizabeth Doogan. Praise God for their skills to use digital technology for His kingdom!

BY Dr. John Koessler

John Koessler is Professor Emeritus of Applied Theology and Church Ministries at Moody Bible Institute. John authors the “Practical Theology” column for Today in the Word of which he is also a contributing writer and theological editor. An award-winning author, John’s newest title is When God is Silent: Let the Bible Teach You to Pray (Kirkdale). Prior to joining the Moody faculty, he served as a pastor of Valley Chapel in Green Valley, Illinois, for nine years. He and his wife, Jane, now enjoy living in a lakeside town in Michigan.