places at the feast

There’s an amazing promise and a sobering possibility in Jesus’ vision for his kingdom. He spelled it out for his disciples in Matthew 8.

The setting is this: on his way into the city of Capernaum, Jesus was asked for help by one of the officers of the occupying Roman force. This centurion had a valued and loved servant who was debilitated with a condition that left him paralyzed and suffering. When Jesus offered to come and heal him, the centurion’s reply was remarkable. 

“No,” he said, “I don’t deserve that, and you don’t need to. You have authority over our bodies and our health, and, as a man with a little bit of authority myself, I know how it works. All you have to do is give the order.”

And this is how Jesus responded, in Matthew 8:10-12: “When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, ‘Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’”

Jesus came as the Messiah of the Jews, but he intended to save everyone. The amazing promise is that people from every part of the globe will be at the heavenly feast with the fathers of faith. The sobering possibility is that many who consider such a place their birthright will be kicked out.

It’s a reminder that faith is one of the most individual things there is. No one can be saved by the faith of another. Bloodlines and denominational affiliations and ecumenical pedigrees don’t make even the tiniest bit of difference. Only a personal faith in Jesus results in salvation.

The good news: since Jesus didn’t limit his salvation to the Jews I have a chance for a place at the feast. The better news: by the mercy and grace of God, that place is now secure.