The Crazy Banquet

YOU WERE HONORED WITH CHRIST JESUS!

What lengths men go to in order to secure the esteem of others! What fights started to defend or sustain one's respect! What demand men place on others for honor and what Love they set aside to command it!

How the Apostle Paul ministers to me! He was so content to just be in Him, in Christ. Often, even those who may be great servants, or even the greatest servants, may lose sight of and devalue the Honor given us in the person of Jesus Christ. Men of all professions require of others what they have not received in Christ. Some command endless attention, a substitute for the only Attention who fills. Others command respect, not truly understanding how much God honored man with Jesus and continues to honor him. He made us His children, adopting us as His own when we couldn't qualify for His presence, His riches, His ability-- things which now, we have all received in Christ. It is enough to be in Him, to consider ourselves honored of Him.

Imagine (if it were possible) that every time you came over to my house, I kill my only child, my perfect child so that you can then come in and enjoy the abundance of my house and table. I do this not only for you, but for each and every guest who arrives after you, I slay my beautiful child. Now I have 5 or 6 guests who lost sight of what they have received, the greatest Love. They ignore the Love given them and begin to fight over the food on the table (which is unlimited by the way). They vie for what they can give one another or do for themselves. They crave honor of men over the honor of God. God and His benefits becomes intangible to these deaf and blind guests. They rate themselves high and rank one another by their own opinions forgetting that each man's Price was the same. My guests enjoy very little.

One snatches up desserts and continues to eat profusely to make sure he is not left hungry or without the luscious benefit of a sweet pastry. Another spits in his eye for being so selfish and greedy. One cries and is distraught that there is fighting. One is envious that I gave so much pie to another guest. All the while, there is endless pie in the back. Would there not be peace if all remained conscious of the Gift, constantly receiving His fullness? Is there cause to envy what another is actively partaking in when all were given the same Gift? Is this not one crazy banquet scenario! Everything has been paid for at the highest cost of our Host. He honored each of us with His greatest treasure, His son. We have a new nature in Him and an Inheritance too.

There is no gift or benefit given to man that is not given to all men. There is no exhausting this gift and His benefits, Christ in us-- our Inheritance. Shall we dine?