Table

"Many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven," Matthew 8:11.

That's Jesus talking. Now, here's a list of names, sort of a who's who blast from the way back machine. Hammurabi, Homer, Plato, Zoroaster, Gautama Buddha, Confucius, Ramses, Alexander the Great, Ashoka, Chi'in, Hannibal. They're not all dead white guys. Well, yeah, they're all dead. And (apologies for lack of inclusiveness), they're guys. But a mixed bag otherwise. We heard about them in middle school history. They, and millions others, lived between Abraham and Jesus. God at work, a long time, prepping for the sky kingdom. He's still calling people to it.

As we contact a brother or sister today, we marvel at God's patience and kindness toward us. And, together, we give thanks that Jesus makes us welcome at that banquet table.