I shook my head in disbelief. This couldn't be the right
place. After all, I couldn't possibly be welcome here. I had been given an
invitation several times, by several different people, and I had finally
decided to see what this place was all about. But, this just couldn't be the
right place.
Quickly, I
glanced down at the invitation that I clutched in my hand. I scanned past the
words, "Come as you are. No jacket required" and found the location.
Yes, I was at the right place. I peered through the window again and saw a room
of people whose faces seemed to glow with joy. All were neatly dressed, adorned
in fine garments and appeared strangely clean as they dined at this exquisite
restaurant.
Ashamed, I looked down at my own tattered and torn clothing,
covered in stains. I was dirty, in fact, filthy. A foul smell seemed to consume
me and I couldn't shake the grime that clung to my body. As I turned around to
leave, the words from the invitation seemed to leap out at me..."Come as
you are. No jacket required."
I decided to
give it a shot. Mustering up every bit of courage I could find, I opened the
door to this restaurant and walked up to a man standing behind a podium.
"Your name, sir?" he asked me with a smile.
"Jimmy D. Brown," I mumbled without looking up. I
thrust my hands deep into my pockets, hoping to conceal their stains.
He didn't seem to notice the filth that I was covered in and
he continued, "Very good, sir. A table is reserved in your name. Would you
like to be seated?"
I couldn't believe what I heard! A grin broke out on my face
and I said, "Yes, of course!" He lead me to a table and, sure enough,
there was a placard with my name written on it in a deep, dark red. As I
browsed over a menu, I saw many delightful items listed. There were things
like, "peace," "joy," "blessings,"
"confidence," "assurance," "hope,"
"love," "faith," and "mercy." I realized that
this was no ordinary restaurant! I flipped the menu back to the front in order
to see where I was at... "God's Grace," was the name of this place.
The man returned and said,
" recommend the 'Special of the Day'. With
it you are entitled to heaping portions of everything on this menu.
You've got to be kidding! I thought to myself. You mean, I
can have ALL of this! "What is the 'Special of the Day'?" I asked
with excitement ringing in my voice.
"Salvation," was his reply.
"I'll take it," I practically cried out. Then, as
quickly as I made that statement, the joy left my body. A sick painful ache
jerked through my stomach and tears filled my eyes. Between my sobs I said...
"Mister, look at me. I'm dirty and nasty. I am unclean and unworthy of
such things. I'd love to have all of this, but, but, I just can't afford
it."
Undaunted, the man smiled again. "Sir, your check has already
been taken care of by that Gentleman over there," he said as he pointed to
the front of the room. "His name is Jesus."
Turning, I saw a man whose very presence seemed to light the
room. He was almost too much to look at. I found myself walking towards Him and
in a shaking voice I whispered, "Sir, I'll wash the dishes or sweep the
floors or take out the trash. I'll do anything I can do to repay You for all
this."
He opened His arms and said with a smile, "Son,
all of this is yours if you just come unto me. Ask me to clean you up and I
will. Ask me to allow you to feast at my table and you will eat. Remember, the
table is reserved in your name. All you must do is accept this gift that I
offer you."
Astonished, I fell at his feet and said, "Please, Jesus.
Please clean up my life. Please change me and sit me at your table and give me
this new life."
Immediately, I heard the words, "It is finished."
I looked down and white robes adorned my squeaky clean body.
Something strange and wonderful had happened. I felt new, like a weight had
been lifted and I found myself seated at His table.
"The
'Special of the Day' has been served," the Lord said to me.
"Salvation is yours." We sat and talked for a great while and I so
enjoyed the time that I spent with Him. He told me, me of all people, that He
would like for me to come back as often as I liked for another helping from
God's Grace. He made it clear that He wanted me to spend as much time with Him
as possible.
As it drew near time for me to go back outside into the
"real world," He whispered to me softly, "And Lo, I am with you
always." And then, He said something to me that I will never forget. He
said... "My child, do you see these empty tables throughout this
room?"
"Yes, Lord. I see them. What do they mean?" I replied.
"These are reserved tables...but the individuals whose
names are on each placard have not accepted their invitation to dine. Would you
be so kind as to hand out these invitations to those who have not joined us as
yet?" Jesus asked.
"Of course," I said with excitement as I picked up
the invitations.
"Go ye therefore into all nations," He said as I
turned to leave.
I walked into God's Grace dirty and hungry. Stained in sin.
My righteousness as filthy rags. And Jesus cleaned me up. I walked out a brand
new man...robed in white, His righteousness. And so, I'll keep my promise to my
Lord. I'll go. I'll spread the Word.
I'll share the Gospel... I'll hand out the invitations. And
I'll start with you.
Have you been to God's Grace? There's a table reserved in
your name, and here's your invitation... "Come as you are. No jacket
required."
"For by
grace are you saved
through faith: and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works,
lest any man should boast."
Ephesians 2: 8,9
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This
is an old story and has been published on several sites. The author is
unknown which is a pity, he or she actually wrote a beautiful story. I
thought I would share as it has a powerful message.
