A Vision of Hope and Restoration
In the book of Isaiah (25:1-9), we read these words: On this mountain, the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines, of rich food filled with marrow, of well-aged wines strained clear. And he will destroy on this mountain the shroud that is cast over all peoples…
In the first part of this passage, Isaiah describes a city in ruin. It is an enemy city. It is the city of the ruthless nation that had desecrated and destroyed Jerusalem. What’s so interesting is that this is not a banquet of celebration of the enemy’s defeat. In fact, the invitation to this very banquet extends far beyond the community of faith. The invitation to this banquet extends even to the enemy nation.
Isaiah promises God will destroy the shroud that is cast over all peoples, the sheet that is spread over (not just Israel – but) all nations. God will wipe away tears from all faces…
This vision in Isaiah is a vision of hope and restoration. It is a vision of reconciliation among all people. In the Bible, one of the images of heaven is indeed the banquet table in the Kingdom of God.
At the table, in Isaiah’s vision, we are given hope for the future, that we will one day be reconciled with God and others. At the same time, our assumptions are challenged about who’s in and who’s out, who’s welcome, and who’s not in God’s Kingdom. And his vision invites us to ever ask: who’s missing from our tables – in our homes, at our church, from our family gatherings?
As we approach Thanksgiving, let us prepare to come to that table, by bringing our lives before God who has promised to nourish us. Let us bring our hearts before God who, if we are open, will change them and heal them. And let us bring our spirits before God, acknowledging the grace we’ve been given and the blessings we have shared.
Let us pray: Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest, in our homes and churches and around our tables. Help us to trust your healing, reconciling grace. And open our eyes to your presence, even here, even now. Amen.
Daily Message Author: Joe Albright
Joe began his ministry in Sarasota, Florida as an associate pastor, and it was in this capacity that he worked alongside the Reverend Dr. Roger Kunkel. Roger was a colleague who became a mentor and treasured friend. From Sarasota, Joe was called to Jacksonville, Florida where he served as the Head of Staff at Hodges Boulevard Presbyterian Church. Currently, Joe and his family worship and serve at Geneva Presbyterian Church in Switzerland, Florida. Full Bio
