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Anonymous said...

No Jacket Required

I shook my head in disbelief. This couldn't be the right place. After

all, I couldn't possibly be welcome here. I had been given an

invitation several times, by several different people, and had finally

decided to see what this place was all about. But, this just couldn't

be the right place.



Quickly, I glanced down at the invitation that I clutched in my hand.

I scanned past the words, "Come as you are. No jacket required." and

found the location. Yes, I was at the right place. I peered through

the window again and saw a room of people whose faces seemed to glow

with joy. All were neatly dressed, adorned in fine garments and

appeared strangely clean as they dined at this exquisite restaurant.



Ashamed, I looked down at my own tattered and torn clothing, covered

in stains. I was dirty, in fact, filthy. A foul smell seemed to

consume me and I couldn't shake the grime that clung to my body. As I

turned around to leave, the words from the invitation seemed to leap

out at me... "Come as you are. No jacket required."



I decided to give it a shot. Mustering up every bit of courage I could

find, I opened the door to this restaurant and walked up to a man

standing behind a podium. "Your name, sir?" he asked me with a smile.

"Jimmy D. Brown," I mumbled without looking up. I thrust my hands deep

into my pockets, hoping to conceal their stains. He didn't seem to

notice the filth that I was covered in and he continued, "Very good,

sir. A table is reserved in your name. Would you like to be seated?"



I couldn't believe what I heard! A grin broke out on my face and I

said, "Yes, of course!" He lead me to a table and, sure enough, there

was a placard with my name written on it in a deep, dark red.



As I browsed over a menu, I saw many delightful items listed. There

were things like, "peace," "joy," "blessings," "confidence,"

"assurance," "hope," "love," "faith," and "mercy." I realized that

this was no ordinary restaurant! I flipped the menu back to the front

in order to see where I was at... "God's Grace," was the name of this

place!



The man returned and said, "I recommend the 'Special of the Day'. With

it, you are entitled to heaping portions of everything on this menu."

You've got to be kidding! I thought to myself. You mean, I can have

ALL of this! "What is the 'Special of the Day' I asked with excitement

ringing in my voice. "Salvation," was his reply. "I'll take it," I

practically cried out.



Then, as quickly as I made that statement, the joy left my body. A

sick, painful ache jerked through my stomach and tears filled my eyes.

Between my sobs I said... "Mister, look at me. I'm dirty and nasty.

I'm unclean and unworthy of such things. I'd love to have all of this,

but, but, I just can't afford it.



Undaunted, the man smiled again. "Sir, your check has already been

taken care of by that Gentleman over there," he said point to the

front of the room. "His Name is Jesus."



Turning, I saw a man whose very presence seemed to light the room. He

was almost too much to look at. I found myself walking towards Him and

in a shaking voice I whispered, "Sir, I'll wash the dishes or sweep

the floors or take out the trash. I'll do anything I can do to repay

you for all of this."



He opened His arms and said with a smile, "Son, all of this is yours

if you just come unto me. Ask me to clean you up and I will. Ask me to

take away the stains and it is done. Ask me to allow you to feast at

my table and you will eat. Remember, the table is reserved in your

name. All you must do is accept this gift that I offer you."



Astonished, I fell at his feet and said, "Please, Jesus. Please clean

up my life. Please change me and sit me at your table and give me this

new life."



Immediately, I heard the words, "It is finished."



I looked down and white robes adorned my squeaky clean body. Something

strange and wonderful had happened. I felt new, like a weight had been

lifted and I found myself seated at His table.



"The 'Special of the Day' has been served," the Lord said to me.

"Salvation is yours." We sat and talked for a great while and I so

enjoyed the time that I spent with Him. He told me, me of all people,

that He would like for me to come back as often as I liked for another

helping from God's Grace. He made it clear that He wanted me to spend

as much time with Him as possible.



As it drew near time for me to go back outside into the "real world,"

He whispered to me softly, "And Lo, I am with you always." And then,

He said something to me that I will never forget. He said...



"My child, do you see these empty tables throughout this room?"



"Yes, Lord. I see them. What do they mean?" I replied.



"These are reserved tables... but the individuals whose names are on

each placard have not accepted their invitations to dine. Would you be

so kind as to hand out these invitations to those who have not joined

us yet?" Jesus asked.



"Of course," I said with excitement as I picked up the invitations."

"Go ye therefore into all nations," He said as I turned to leave.



I walked into God's Grace dirty and hungry. Stained in sin. My

righteousness as filthy rags. And Jesus cleaned me up. I walked out a

brand new man... robed in white, His righteousness.



And so, I'll keep my promise to my Lord. I'll go. I'll spread the

Word. I'll share the Gospel... I'll hand out the invitations. And I'll

start with you.



Have you been to God's Grace? There's a table reserved in your name,

and here's your invitation... "Come as you are. No jacket required."



"For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves;

it is the gift of God -- not of works, lest any man should boast."

(Ephesians 2: 8, 9)

10:53 AM

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Anonymous said...

Beautiful Message.



It appeals to me.



Thank you very much for the invitation.



Please pray that I accept the invitation with the heart and especially my deeds.



Thank you,

Pradeep.

1:26 PM

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