The Gospel Feast by W. Letterman Smith

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 31, 1914

The Gospel Feast

By W. Letterman Smith

W. LETTERMAN SMITH

THE gospel feast is spread. “Come; for all things are now ready.” Luke 14: 15-24. The invitation is from the Master of the feast to you, dear reader.

The Master of the Feast

He is no other than the Lord of lords, the King of kings, the Ruler of heaven and earth, the Lord of glory. The resources of the whole universe are at his disposal. His love and wisdom are infinite. He knows full well the needs of your soul, and has made ample provision for them. The supply is in the measure of his love — limitless and free. And to this royal feast you are invited.

The Cost of the Feast

This is a costly feast to which you are invited. The price paid for each item of it was the tears, the agony, the blood, the death of the Son of God. And now to this rich feast, costly as it was to provide, you, dear reader, are invited to come, “without money and without price.” Isa. 55: 1-3.

The Provisions of the Feast

These are the very things your soul craves,—pardon, peace, joy, hope, guidance, true and lasting pleasures, eternal life, the bread of life, the water of life. Only at the gospel feast can these blessings be obtained; and only here can the soul be filled and satisfied. And to this soul-satisfying feast you are invited.

The Benefits Derived From the Feast

These are as manifold as your needs. Appropriating these most excellent things, the soul is saved, fed, nourished, strengthened for every good word and work, fitted for all the duties of life, and made meet for the marriage supper of the Lamb in the Father’s house above. See Rev. 19: 7-9. Moreover, the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5: 22, 23), planted in the heart, grows and ripens; and the likeness to Christ is developed and perfected in the soul, in the character, in the life. And to this great feast you are invited, that you may rejoice in all its blessed benefits.

The Company

What a goodly company is here gathered! Patriarchs, prophets, apostles, martyrs, reformers, saints,—the good of all the ages! But best of all, the Lord Jesus Christ, the Master of the feast, is here. And such holy companionship may be yours forever, if you will come to the gospel feast.

Who Are Invited?

You are invited. “But,” you say, “I am unfit to appear at the King’s banquet. I must wait until I am in better condition to go.” Listen! “Whosoever will” may come. Rev. 22: 17. The Master of the feast well knows your condition, yet he bids you come, come just now, come just as you are, without trying to make yourself any more worthy. Why, then, should you hesitate and delay? Come to him, and he will clothe you in the robe of his own spotless righteousness (Isa. 61: 10), and so make you fit to sit at his table. Come just now in penitence and faith, and you will receive a royal welcome.

When to Come

If you are invited to a repast, it is important to know the time when you are expected. The Master of the gospel feast has not left the time in uncertainty. Here is the invitation. It is for you. Read it carefully, and note well the time: “Come; for all things are now ready.” Luke 14: 17. “Now is the accepted time.” 2 Cor. 6: 2. Now the door is wide open, the table is spread, the guests are assembling, and the Master beckons and calls to you. Come at once. A day, yea, an hour, hence, and the door, now wide open, may be closed against you forever.

Excuses

Is it not strange, surpassing strange, that so many to whom the loving, earnest invitation to this glorious feast comes, begin at once to make excuse? While numberless in form, these excuses are the same in substance. The reason in every case is simply the lack of desire and willingness to go.

But we are persuaded better things of you. Are not the provisions of the gospel feast just such as your soul needs and craves? Then you will no longer slight the gracious invitation, will you?

The invitation requires an immediate answer. Delay not. Accept it at once. Come unto Jesus. Enter into the banquet hall. Feast your soul upon the provisions of God’s grace, and so be saved. Enter upon the higher, better life in Christ Jesus our Lord, and be prepared for usefulness here and for glory hereafter. Won’t you come?