Matthew 8:10-12
When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. 11 I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, 12 while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Vicki just made a reservation for us at a nice restaurant in Washington DC for our upcoming trip to the Museum of the Bible. I wonder if I will see a Senator. If I do, it will pale in comparison to sharing a table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob! Jesus made an important point to his hearers, including the Centurion. Both Jews and Gentiles are invited to this banquet. Sadly, many Jews who should know God will be excluded, having been consigned to everlasting torment.
Many people try to imagine what heaven will be like and some, erroneously, say we will be angels with harps. What is more important is that the Roman Centurion, the enemy of the Jews, was saved by faith while many Jews who rejected Jesus were not. Who knows if we will literally have dinner with the Patriarchs or Christian martyrs? Like a Senator, they will pale in comparison to the one we will see in Heaven, the King of kings, Jesus Christ. We will not care to recline at table because we will be bowing at his throne. A reservation has been made for you!
O Heavenly Father, what a banquet awaits us as we see the King of Glory in his heavenly kingdom! May we begin the worship today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.