In a scene reminiscent of the parable of the poorly attended marriage banquet, one Atlanta family decided to go out into the "highways and byways" rather than waste the lavish wedding celebration they had planned for their daughter who canceled her wedding just 40 days shy of the big day. At that point, all their deposits were non-refundable--caterers, DJs, florists and entertainers had all been paid.
So what did Willie and Carol Fowler do? They contacted Hosea Feed the Hungry, a local food pantry that feeds the homeless. There would be no well dressed guests in designer gowns, no local dignitaries or Who's Who members of Atlanta's posh country or golf clubs in attendance at the "creme de la creme" wedding venue. Instead, "Two hundred guests were bused to Villa Christina for a four-course meal complete with coconut shrimp and salmon (the 50 kids in attendance got chicken fingers). The family hopes to get sponsors and make it an annual event," reports WBUR News.
The Fowler's daughter attended the event. Her dad says that it was "bittersweet but rewarding."
The parable of the wedding feast offers a picture of God's heart for the lost. Rather than cancel the entire event when the original guest list was scrapped, he sent his servants to the "highways and byways" to pull in any and all who would come. HE provided the meal. HE provided the entertainment. HE even provided the proper attire--robes of righteousness--for those who had nothing appropriate to wear to such a lavish event.
No doubt, as he thought of all those who were not in attendance, his Plan B wedding celebration was both "bittersweet but rewarding" (Matthew 22:1-14).
"The elect are the 'whosoever wills,' the non-elect are the 'whosoever won'ts.'"
D.L. Moody
Moody takes a simple approach to what has become a complicated and devisive debate for many. Sometimes we make things more complicated than they need to be.
"God so loved the world that He gave His Only Begotten Son that whosoever would believe in Him would not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).
"The pupil of the eye expands as much as 45 percent when a person looks at something pleasing."
Zechariah 2:8
For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.
The original Hebrew for this idiom was 'iyshown 'ayin, and can be literally translated as "Little Man of the Eye." This is a reference to the tiny reflection of yourself that you can see in other people's pupils. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_of_my_eye)
Israel is the apple of God's eye because she is the focus of His gaze. As such, her reflection is on God's pupil. Not only that, as the focus of God's longing, Israel causes the pupil of His eye to expand by 45%!
Illustration Exchange