CrimsonSnow

Simple Musings

Isaiah Comments On The Royal Wedding

Royal Banquets

Today is the 28th of April 2011, which is nothing special in and of itself, except that it is the day before one the biggest Royal ceremonies the world has seen in recent years; at least that part of the world which is vaguely interested in the British Royal family. Tomorrow, Prince William, the 2nd heir to the throne, will marry Kate Middleton, soon to be known as Princess Catherine.For weeks now, the world press and especially the British press have been fixated with what has been dubbed, ‘The Royal Wedding’.

 

Among much of the fanfare, has been all the speculation as to what the Royal Wedding will look like. What will the bride wear? From where will the bride precede? Who has the monarchy invited to the wedding and who has not been invited and who has rejected their invitation? Reports abound, regarding who in the political world will be present; those with whom the British government has ‘normal diplomatic relations’; both present and future allies. No doubt, former prime ministers, first ladies, ambassadors, government officials and other members of the royal family are all in the process of getting their finest attire in order, for the big day. The amount of money spent in preparation for this big day, has been extravagant.

 

As is to be expected, there is always an element of drama involved in such events. Having already received an invitation to the wedding ceremony, Dr Sami Khiyami, the Syrian ambassador to the United Kingdom, had his invitation withdrawn “amid condemnation of a violent crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in the country” said the BBC, which Dr Khiyami described as being a little embarrassing.

 

No doubt, April the 29th will come and go, the media will be all over the event and most of the United Kingdom will celebrate the day, either at home or on the lawns of Westminster Abbey.

 

However, there is another banquet, which has attracted less attention over the years, however, we would do well to pay attention to. The prophet Isaiah, the mouthpiece for Yahweh, wrote about it 700 years before Christ. Listen to the invitation issued by this monarchy:

 

“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labour on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.” (Isaiah 55v1-2)

 

Notice how starkly different the invitation to this banquet is to the one which is going down in the United Kingdom this week? Notice firstly, how it is an open invite. “Come, all you who are thirsty.” The invite is not just to the allies, friends or close associates of monarchy; but all those far and wide are beckoned, invited to attend this banquet. Anyone who is thirsty or hungry, can come to this banquet. There is no special seating plan. The only condition asked for is that you be hungry or thirsty. Come! Delight in the richest of fare.

 

However, what grabs your attention as you first read is not just how wide-spread the invitation is, but how free and welcoming the invitation is. This banquet is not just for the rich and famous, not just for those who are able to afford such a banquet, but quite the opposite in fact; the invite goes out specifically to those who cannot afford to feast, who cannot afford to drink choice wines, or eat banquet buffets. The invite is spread to those far and wide; come and feast, without cost, without money. Your coming to this banquet is not based on whether you can afford it or not.

 

Lastly, this invitation admits that there are other things that vie for our attention and pull on our hearts; things which are costly and extravagant, that which demands our treasures. Many things demand our time and our attention; but as the writer of this invite has pointed out, they do not satisfy forever. Much like the canapés at a wedding reception; they taste good, but don’t satisfy our hunger. Rather come to this banquet, to this ceremony and feast on the richest of fare, come to this banquet and drink deeply, for not only is this feast for those who cannot afford it, but it truly satisfies. Deep, long lasting satisfaction.

 

What a remarkable invitation this is.

 

But there is one element to this banquet which we don’t see straight away. The truth is that, all banquets are costly. No one puts on a banquet without their being some cost involved. Either the guests pay their way, or the host does. This invitation, which Isaiah overhears in the throne-room of heaven, is issued by Yahweh, the maker of heaven and earth. And He paid the price, He covered the bill, He beckons and welcomes all those who cannot come to this banqueting table on their own terms, and he covers their bill. Jesus Christ died, he shed his blood to cover the required price for restitution to take place. But then He rose again. And just as the stone on the tomb was rolled away, so too were the doors to the grand banqueting hall of heaven thrown open; to welcome all those who recognise that they thirst and hunger for that which truly satisfies. Christ paid the price, and Christ welcomes us in; to come and delight our souls at his banqueting table.

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