By Pastor Steve Nickodemus

Eat What is Good!

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking this SoundCloud link

“Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy?  Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare.”
Isaiah 55:2 New International Version

Imagine coming to the table in a restaurant and having no money to pay for your meal.  You are poor and hungry, you are thirsty and you feel faint, but you have no way to pay for your food.  You are discouraged and about to leave in great distress, when suddenly, the owner of the restaurant comes up to you and says, “Sit down and eat and drink!  Order anything you want!  I am paying for your meal!  In fact, come any time and eat, I will cover the charges!”

You can hardly believe your ears!  All the food you want and you do not have to pay!  You are ecstatic and you sit and eat and rejoice!

This is a picture of the invitation that God gives to us sinners.  We desperately need God’s mercy and grace, we desperately need forgiveness and His love, but we have nothing to bring to the table.  We cannot pay for our sins nor buy His favor.  We are desperately poor and without spiritual resources.

But God in His most surprising way, offers us a place at the table, a place in the family, His love and forgiveness and mercy; all free of charge.  He freely offers us His own Son who became poor that we might become rich.  He opens heaven itself to us, all without any means for us to pay.

Our response is one of great joy and gratitude and celebration!  How good our Host is, that He would give us the very Bread of Life!  How great is our God who welcomes us to His table!  How awesome is our Redeemer who bids us join Him in the feast to come! Amen!

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church Colorado Springs, Colorado