Finish this line: “Call me anything, so long as…”
Do you know how this line finishes?
Growing up in Kentucky as well as living in the Ozarks for so many years, I have heard this statement made many times. Of course the statement is usually made with a big chuckle after someone has made a mistake related to misspeaking another person’s name.
Have you thought of it yet?
Here it goes: “Call me anything, so long as you do not call me late for supper.”
Late for Supper
This past weekend I enjoyed reading and teaching Luke 14. In this portion, Jesus refers to supper time and relates it to His coming kingdom. Notice these key verses:
Now when one of those who sat at the table with Him heard these things, he said to Him, “Blessed is he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God!” (Luke 14:15)
An unnamed man exclaimed that anyone will be blessed who eats bread in the kingdom of God. To which, Jesus replied by telling a parable of a great supper feast. Jesus finished the parable with these final two verses:
Then the master said to the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. For I say to you that none of those men who were invited shall taste my supper.’ ” (Luke 14:23-24)
The master told those with him to diligently search for anyone around in order to invite them to this great supper. Supper time had arrived and there were still seats at the table. He sent them far and wide to invite people to enjoy the feast. At the same time, those who delayed and turned down the request, Jesus said, would never taste His supper.
Call me anything, so long as you do not call me late for supper!
This parable reminded me of the statement, “Call me anything, so long as you do not call me late for supper.”
Jesus tells us to compel people to get ready for supper. He excluded no one. Instead, in urgency, He said to go out and get as many as possible.
Why? Because it is almost supper time and there is still room.
Today and this week as you go about your day, remember the great news that Jesus gives us the mandate to go out and invite people to His great supper feast because it is almost supper time. When the dinner bell rings, only those who have responded positive to the invitation to come to Jesus’ supper will be able to go. That’s why we need to do the invitin’ while there is still time.
Image Credit Emerson Vieira
KevinCarson.com | Wisdom for Life in Christ Together
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