“Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? And your labor for that which satisfieth not? Hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight inself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come unto me; hear and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David” (Is. 55:1).
The point is not whether you eat bread or drink water. The point is not whether you eat steak or drink fine wine. The point is whether your soul is really satisfied. The point is whether your soul can find any joy. And Isaiah says that the source of real delight, real satisfaction is found in listening. The only price is inclining your ear. If you listen, the food is free. If you listen, it’s all you can eat. If you incline your ear, the food will satisfy your soul.
This is why you often hear us remind you that the Word goes with the Sacrament. If you don’t hear the Word, if you don’t listen to the Word, the food cannot satisfy. But if you hear the word, if you believe the word, if you listen and incline your ear, you will eat and your soul shall live. There is nothing magical in this bread. This is just normal wine. But when we listen to the Word of God, when we love the Word of God, what we hear is the declaration of an everlasting covenant, the sure mercies of David in the broken body and shed bled of Jesus Christ. He died to take away our sins. He died and rose again to make all things new. When you hear that and you believe that, this table is that sure promise for you to eat and drink freely.
So are you hungry? Are you thirsty? Are there things in your life that need to be made new? Come, everyone who thirsts, and you don’t need any money. All you need are ears. All you need to do is listen. All you need to do is hear and believe, and when you eat this food, you are eating the promises of God, the sure mercies of David in Jesus, and your soul will delight in fatness.
So come and welcome to Jesus Christ.
New ebook Marriage Militant: 25 wedding homilies available here.
Photo by Kelsey Knight on Unsplash
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