Tuesday, August 25, 2015
Proverbs 9:1-2 Wisdom has built her house, she has hewn out her seven pillars; she has slaughtered her meat, she has mixed her wine, she has also furnished her table.
THE BANQUET HOUSE -- COMPLETE AND READY FOR GUESTS
One of life's enjoyable experiences is getting together with friends and relatives for a dinner. Even comedians and pundits such as Garrison Keillor know that Lutherans are good at potlucks (a local County Fair recently had a trio of ladies who call themselves "Loony Lutherans" spoofing themselves and the rest of us).
Yes, it's a tradition in our circles to have potlucks for Mission Festivals and other occasions. As enjoyable as such good food and fellowship is, our text reminds that there is a more important feast or banquet than an earthly one. From what Jesus taught, we know the best of all banquets is a spiritual one whose main-course menu features God's gracious plan of salvation for the world of sinners.
A banquet hall is needed for such a feast. Jesus Christ, the Head of His Church -- Wisdom personified -- has seen to prepping such a hall, hewing out seven pillars in the process. Seven is a Bible number symbolizing completeness. Truly, Wisdom's house is well-grounded, complete and ready. It is "built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone" (Ephesians 2:20). And within that house -- the Holy Christian Church, the communion of saints -- how lavishly the table is spread with all the blessings of the gospel, including forgiveness of sins, peace, joy, and comfort in life and death.
The only thing yet needed is for us -- for you! for me! -- to get the message, the invitation, out.
Can we whose souls are lighted With wisdom from on high,
Can we to men benighted The lamp of life deny?
Salvation! Oh, Salvation! The joyful sound proclaim
Till each remotest nation Has learned Messiah's name.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 495:3)
