WHAT'S ON THE MENU?

“May I take Your order, God?

Would You like meat or cereal?”

God ordered meat.

He had divinely ultimate reasons

that would take centuries to recount.

Abel gave Him what He ordered.

It took longer to prepare

but it was worth it. God was pleased.

Cain substituted cereal.

The fact that it was whole grain

and fortified with vitamins

didn’t cut any ice with God.

It wasn’t what He ordered.

“May I take Your order, Jesus?

Do You prefer service or sitting at Your feet?

Jesus ordered sitting at His feet.

He had divinely ultimate reasons

from the foundation of the world:

He created man for communion because

He already had angels to serve Him.

Mary gave Him what He ordered.

Jesus was pleased and it was worth it

but it sure disrupted domestic tranquility.

Martha substituted service.

She felt that no one appreciated

her extravagant dinner party

which she put on without adequate help

and now leftovers would spoil

without a refrigerator

but that was not the point Jesus was making.

It wasn’t what He ordered.

“May I take Your order, Lord?

Would you rather have

faithful church activity or first love?”

Jesus ordered first love.

He had divinely ultimate reasons because

He ordained the pattern of Bride and Bridegroom

to reflect the Church and Himself.

The Church at Ephesus didn’t give Him

what He ordered. They switched the menu:

hard work for Him

faithfulness to Him

separation, doctrinal purity, perseverance

—all for Jesus.

After all, emotion in religion

wasn't so cool in those days.

But their good intentions didn’t count.

It wasn’t what He ordered.

“May I take Your order, Lord?

The chef has so many exotic dishes

and gourmet delicacies.

Here’s today’s menu."

You don’t want a new menu?

You still want the first love You ordered?

To obey is better than sacrifice?

“Me? Certainly I do.

Me? Yes, of course I do.

Me? Lord, I’m really embarrassed

that You had to ask me three times.

You know all things.

You know that I love You!

“What did You say?

That You delight in me?

You want me to sit down with You

at Your dining table to talk

and to share Your dinner?

Incredible!

“Oh, Jesus, Lover of my soul,

I will. . .I will!”

****

From THE RESOURCE BOOK

Song of Songs 4:7,8,10; Ephesians 5:25-27;

Isaiah 43:1,4,7; Revelation 2:2,4,5 and 3:15,20;
Zephaniah 3:17