Come to the Picnic

               Many years ago, Columbia Records in Terre Haute Indiana used to sponsor an annual picnic as a way of thanking the employees and their families.  My aunt worked at Columbia Records, and I remember, as a child, getting the wonderful invitation to go to the picnic.  For a kid this event was the highlight of my year.  It was like going to a carnival.  The smells were delightful as vendors offered hot dogs, popcorn, cotton candy, and ice cream.  The rides, games, and prizes delighted all the children.  The greatest thing about the glorious picnic is that everything was absolutely free.  Free to all who responded to the invitation.

Jesus told a parable about a man who was holding a great supper.  He sent out invitations to his neighbors to come to his bountiful supper.  Sadly, one by one many of those invited began to make excuses why they couldn’t come to the supper.  Luke 14:23-24 tells us: “Then the master said to the servant, 'Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. For I say to you that none of those men who were invited shall taste my supper”.  Jesus was teaching about the glories and festive delights of coming into the kingdom of God.  He invited his neighbors (the Jews) to come to the supper, but they gave one excuse after another.  Then he invited those in the highways and hedges (the Gentiles).  They responded to the gracious invitation and came and enjoyed the picnic.

Our wonderful Lord is still inviting people to come into His kingdom.  Jesus invited the little children to come to Him (Matt. 19:14).  He calls the weary and heavy laden to come to Him (Matt. 11:28).  He invites His hungry disciples to come to Him and dine (John 21:12).  The last invitation in the Bible is addressed to: “whosoever”.  Revelation 22:17 calls out to a hungry and thirsty world: “And the Spirit and the bride say, come. And let him that hears say, come. And let him that is thirsty come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely”. Be sure to accept His invitation and come to the picnic!