Would you like to make a reservation?

If you've had the opportunity to go to a fancy restaurant, the kind where orange isn't a color scheme and the chairs aren't plastic, then you know that there is a method of securing a table called "Making a reservation." It's pretty easy. You pick up the phone at some point prior to the scheduled evening and you speak to the reservations host. You tell him or her when you want to come, and what time. They acknowledge your request and set that table aside for you at the designated time.

Between the time of making the reservation and the evening's arrival, you may talk about it with your special one by exchanging anticipatory pleasantries such as, "I'm looking forward to that night out away from the kids," Or mentioning practicalities like, "Did you call the sitter?"

As the time nears for your special evening out, you engage in other activities that enhance the fact that this night is different than all the others. If you are a man, you may shave and groom yourself. You may dress in a suit and put on a tie. If you are a woman you wear dress set aside for special occasions, take extra care with your hair and makeup, and may even wear jewelry you don't usually put on such as Grandmother's brooch or the gold chain your husband bought you last anniversary.

Finally the night arrives and you pull up to the restaurant. Sometimes if it is a really fancy place, there are valets in red vests there to take your car and relieve you of even that mundane duty of parking it. As you walk in, the atmosphere is calm, serene, pleasant. The podium is strategically placed by the interior door to the dining room and you approach the Maitre'D with expectation. He may say,

"Do you have a reservation?"

And happily, you say "Yes, Smith party of two, for 8:00 please."

He says, "Just one moment, please," and consulting his book, he confirms your name written in it. At that point, the Maitre'D escorts you to a table set aside for you from the moment you called to make the reservation. And as you sit down your pleasurable evening finally begins.

Ahhh, like wedding days and graduation events, after so much anticipation, the night is over all so quickly. The champagne has been drunk. The Clams Casino have been eaten. The candles are melted and the fire has died. It's over, but perhaps a nice memory had been created.

It feels special to be escorted by the tuxedoed Maitre'D and truth be known, you might have sashayed just a little. As he pulls the chair out for you, you feel catered to, special. I remember when I went to Italy I learned that you can call the Uffizi Gallery ahead of time and reserve the time you want to come visit the museum. When you get there, you walk alongside the hundreds in line, right up to the red velvet ropes, and speak your name to the docent. He checks his book and confirms your name is in there, and he un-hitches the rope and lets you in. All the people waiting in line wonder who you are to get such treatment! And it does feel like you're a VIP for a moment.

There is a better reservation for you, if you want it.

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." (1 Peter 1:3-5)

You could have a seat reserved for you at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. (Rev 17:7-10). Your reservation for participation in this glorious, long anticipated event could be secured, with your name written in the Lamb's Book of Life. (Rev 13:8). If we feel special being escorted to our seats by the Maitre'D at a restaurant here on earth, imagine the joy of being escorted to your seat to partake in the consummation of all the long betrothal period of the church and the Savior! Being seated at the most important VIP table of all. Here, the candles never die. The Living Water sparkles and never dries up, it flows eternally. The joy of being included never fades. And to attend this special event, you only need make a reservation.

If you believe you are a sinner, doing, saying or thinking wrong things, then you know you are a lawbreaker against God. He is the judge who delivers the sentence to all who break the law by engaging in sin. It is willful rebellion against Him. But He sent His son to take the punishment for the world's sins, and He died on the cross as that punishment. God's wrath was delivered into Jesus and through Jesus, satisfying the sentence for rebellion against God.

If you recognize that your sins are separating you from Jesus, that the velvet rope will eternally bar your entry to the blessed place, then you need to call upon Jesus to forgive your sins. He will do that. Your name is already printed on the reservation card, the moment you repent and seek forgiveness, your seat is secured at the table. Immediately, you can begin to anticipate your inheritance which the verse says is "imperishable and undefiled." It will not fade away, as everything on this earth eventually fades, even memories of a pleasant evening. It is reserved in heaven for you. There will be no mix-up with the Maitre'D, there will be no delay at getting your seat. Make your reservation now, appeal to Jesus for forgiveness of your sins. He already took the penalty and all that is left is to enjoy the fellowship and communion with Him, by Him, and through Him. He will refresh you by regenerating you into His likeness. He will help you squash the sinful old man in you and make you into a new creature. You will be sealed with the inheritance of the Holy Spirit as the deposit of what is coming. (Eph 1:14). You DO become a VIP to Jesus, a protected and cherished one.

Would you like to make a reservation for this event? Repent, pray, and look to Jesus as Lord and Savior. The table is being set now. I hope to see your name on the card by your seat.
Tweet