It's Who You Know!

A good friend of mine's dad went to the Holy Land back in the early 70's. It was right after the "Six Days War". Before he left he was given a package by his friend, Mike. Mike owned a jewelry store in my home town and his father and brothers owned a jewelry store in Jerusalem, on David Street. Dad was to find the shop and deliver the package to Mike's dad.

Long story short, dad found the shop and delivered the package. Mike's dad couldn't speak english but Mike's brothers could. Mike's dad wanted my father to come to a dinner that would be given in his honor. He wanted him to come that very night. He invited him to bring whomever he wished. He would send a car to their hotel at 7pm.

You can imagine that everyone was a little suspicious of traveling around Jerusalem at night so soon after an armed conflict but my dad was determined and two of the other ministers were brave or crazy enough to go along. They were picked up at 7pm and driven just outside the old city to the home of Mike's father. My dad said they were ushered into a large banquet room with one long table in the center or it. There were many guests and my father and his friends were seated on the left of the host. Each man had a large plate set before him with a drink on his right. The table was covered with all sorts of meats, vegetables, fruits, bread, rice, and noodles.

Women hovered around the table and as the men ate the women refilled their plates. The women made sure that no plate was ever empty and no cup was allowed to run dry. My father said that Mike's dad sat at the head of the table. As the meal progressed, the Old Man would smile and nod to his guests. He would speak to some but he spent most of his time looking at my father and his friends. Dad said that the Old Man would smile and tears would roll down his face as he would say the only three words of english that he knew, "You know Mike. You know Mike."

There is a banquet being prepared for us. The table is set. We are all invited. There is only one name that will allow us access to that dining hall. And some day, in eternity, The Father will sit at the head of that table and with tears in his eyes he will call out across the universe, "You know Jesus. You know Jesus." And we'll all weep for joy.

We are well aware that who you know and who knows you is far more important that what you know.

"Then the angel said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!' And he added, 'These are the true words of God.'"

Hope to see you around the table.

Thanks for the story Rob!