October 11, 2020                                                                             Text:  Isaiah 25:6-9

Dear Friends in Christ,

            I recently read a story about someone who was concerned that too many people live lives detached and devoid of emotional attachments with society.  He decided to do something about it.  Over the course of the year he hosted six dinners at his home.  He would post his meal via social media and invite anyone who wanted to fill one of the eight seats.  Within twenty-four hours, all six evenings, all forty-eight seats were filled and he even had a waiting list.  The people who came each night did not know one another.  They were politically, religiously, socially and culturally different.  Ages were from 22 to 74.  Most evenings the dinner and conversation lasted three to four hours.

            The host later reflected that there is something refreshing about sitting at a table and breaking bread with a stranger who is willing to let you into his or her personal space.  He summarized his year-long experience with such a diverse group this way:  people are hungry for connection, conversation, and community.

            Our text is from Isaiah and the Lord is throwing the dinner party.  Open up your envelope – what does it say?

“YOU ARE INVITED TO A GOSPEL FEAST”

            Welcome, may I take your coat?  Isaiah was God’s chosen messenger to Judah.  Many years’ times were good.  But there was a spiritual void.  These people struggled with the battles of life.  They had personal problems and there were political problems.  Isaiah spoke judgment calling for repentance.  Isaiah also spoke words of comfort and hope. 

            It happened because of the sin in people’s lives.  Sometimes it was the result of their sinful actions that brought tragic consequences.  At other times struggles ensued because it is the way of a sinful world.  People were wondering why?

            Have a seat, let’s talk.  When was the last time you just let someone ask questions about God?  When was the last time you listened without judgment?  When was the last time you just let some express their thoughts and feelings without having to “defend” God or explain His actions?  Sometimes people feel they are in ruin.  They feel poor and needy.  As you listen a connection is made.

            Let’s sit down for dinner.  Pick a chair, no assigned seats.  Wow!  What a feast.  Fatty foods and aged wine were a delicacy at this time in history.  Go ahead and fill up.  Eat and drink and be satisfied.  What’s that, you don’t think you can?  You’ve been trying to fill your life with other things.  You’ve pursued the perfect job.  You’ve spent money but still have a void.  You’ve tried to control everybody’s life while yours is spinning out of control.  You are emotionally lost in these hectic times.

            The Lord of hosts says that is why you were invited.  I invited you here to tell you that all is not lost.  You feel disconnected from your church and your co-workers and your family and your fellow students.  You are tired of watching worship online and sitting in front of a computer at your kitchen table.  You don’t want to take another online test or watch a lecture in your pajamas.  Where is the community I used to know?

            The Lord has swallowed up the covering – the disconnect that is cast over all peoples.  The Lord has swallowed up the veil that darkens all nations.  The Lord has swallowed up death forever.  It is destroyed.  It is consumed.  On the mountain, Calvary’s mountain, Jesus was swallowed up by death.  However, three days later Jesus literally swallowed up death in His resurrection.

            Stop crying in your wine.  The Lord God will wipe away your tears.  Isaiah prophesies Revelation 7 – “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” (Rev. 7:17)  Because death has been swallowed up, because of the lavishness of God’s grace shown by the lavishness of the banquet feast, and because of the promise of eternal life the Lord turns “mourning into dancing.” (Ps. 30:11)  This is the gentle host reassuring His people of His presence, His victory, and His hope.  What a message with which to connect where people are in their lives.  And such connection creates community:  the communion of saints.

            Who is ready for dessert?  You have waited all night for it.  “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us.  This is the Lord; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.” (v. 9)  We can’t receive such a fabulous feast without an expression of thanks.  God saved us.  He saved us by inviting us to a Gospel feast.  He saved us by swallowing up death forever.  He saved us by removing our disgrace.  He connects us to Himself through Word and Sacrament in a world of disconnect.  He is our community.  The Lord of hosts who oversees His creation.  For all that and more, let us rejoice and be glad.

            Now, aren’t you glad you came?

                                                                        Amen.