August 28, 2022 Text: Proverbs 25:2-10
Dear Friends in Christ,
Picture the scene. You are in the lobby of a crowded restaurant. You have put your name in, and the waiting game begins. You make small talk and keep glancing at your watch. After an hour, in a surprise declaration the words you have longed to hear sweeten your ears – “Wienerschnitzel, party of four.” Nirvana. Thy table has been prepared. You may proceed where ordering of food can commence. You may have a little strut in your step as you walk by the other patrons and think to yourself, “we are the Wienerschnitzels and we have a seat.”
Does God ever summon you? Is there a seat for you at God’s banquet table? God has prepared a never-ending banquet, which he desires to be for all people. Does He say to you . . .
“HAVE A SEAT”
In the Book of Proverbs it is always best to focus in on one or two verses when giving a sermon because the Book is written in a way that each verse has its own thought. We will do that with the text this morning as we take a look at verses 6-7.
“Do not put yourself forward in the king’s presence or stand in the place of the great, for it is better to be told, ‘Come up here.’” (vs. 6-7a). Those who exalt themselves to God’s banquet table will be humbled.
You are in the lowest section of the Assembly Hall/State Farm Center watching the action up close of a University of Illinois basketball game. The problem is the seat you have taken doesn’t correspond with the seat you are supposed to be in. The seat where even Kofi Cockburn looks small. Though you can see and hear the game like never before, you are not enjoying yourself. Then it happens, the moment you have been dreading, the usher taps you on the shoulder, “Sir, I believe you are seating in the wrong seat. Can I see your ticket? I’m sorry you must go to the seat on your ticket.” Embarrassed you make the shameful walk up the concrete stairs to seat you have been able to afford your whole life . . . and the game gets smaller and smaller.
We are tempted to seat ourselves in God’s presence based on our works. Our kindness toward others. Our faithful church attendance, our perpetually giving to the church and we even serve on a church board. Give me a seat, Lord. On top of that we are following the Lord’s commands and we love our family. That has to merit a better vantage point, right?
But aren’t we just in lock step with the world? Self-glorifying is everywhere. Hard work means I move up the ladder. We’ve earned it and we deserve it and if I am being honest here, I am not as bad as the person I am sitting next to.
Our pride and arrogance leave us shocked that our works do not merit a place in God’s kingdom. Paul writes, “For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse.” (Gal. 3:10). “You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace.” (Gal 5:4). These words put us in our place. It’s true, we are guilty.
God exalts to his banquet table those who are humbled. “It is better to be told, ‘Come up here,’ than to be put lower in the presence of a noble.” (v. 7). Stranded in our sin and banned from the eternal banquet, we are confronted with and humbled by our inability to seat ourselves in God’s presence. Before God, we slink to the lowest place and confess our sins.
God does not leave us in despair. He clothed himself in human flesh so that He might defeat death and devil and deliver us from their power. He was made like us in every way so that he could satisfy God’s wrath for our sins. He is able to sympathize with our weaknesses but maintained the righteousness we cannot. He allowed himself to be placed “outside the gate”, driven out of the city and crucified, to sanctify us by His blood.
Clinging to Christ in faith, God graciously says, “Have a seat in my Kingdom.” “Come up here.” To the font and be washed in baptismal waters. “Come up here.” Receive forgiveness and be reconciled to Me and one another. “Come up here.” Hear my Word and the Holy Spirit will create in you a new heart. “Come up here.” Eat and drink at my table. Feast on the abundance of My house. “Come up here.” Remain in My presence forever. Never be separated from Me, and rejoice in the unending life I have given you.
The breathing is a little labored as you have climbed to your seat at the Assembly Hall/State Farm Center. It is hard to follow the ball and the sounds echo. Then a hand touches your shoulder. It is an usher in an orange blazer. Your seat number has been chosen and you have been given another place to sit. Down and down you go. The players are getting larger, the sound has less of an echo. You have dreamed of this moment for a lifetime. You are given a seat you could never afford. You can hear the bounce of the ball and see the intensity of the game. You have a seat. Orange and blue boy…do you have a seat.
The Lord motions with his finger to you: “Come here!” And you are thrilled. You do step toward Him with eager anticipation, because He’s told you and you know: through Jesus Christ, you do have a seat at God’s eternal banquet table.
Amen.