Save the Date

Save the Date John 14: 1-4 Barbara could barely contain her excitement as she waited for her husband Dave to arrive home from work. Like an excited child waiting for Christmas Day, she ran to the front door as soon as it opened. Nearly jumping into his arms, she shouted, “David, come quick! Sit with me as I have some wonderful news to share!” “Oh? Did we by chance win the lottery?” he jokingly asked. “No, no. Nothing like that,” replied Barbara. “It’s even more exciting than that!” she shouted. “David, I have been asked to perform as soloist at one of the biggest events ever planned!” she beamed. She gushed on with details. “Eighteen months from now. All-expense paid trip! Everything! All I need to do is say I will sing at the event and off we go!” Wow! thought David as he took it all in. “Honey, I am so excited for you! For us! But, it seems so far off.” “Oh, David,-don’t be silly! We all know how fast time flies. Before we know it, we will be only a week away!” said Barb as she danced around the kitchen. “Imagine!” she continued, “US! invited to such a gala event as this. And it’s all paid for! I cannot wait to go, David. We must prepare, even this far out. No procrastinating or waiting until the last minute!” Days, weeks and months flew by. As they always do. Barbara was diligent in her daily rehearsal of the song choice sent to her from the bride and groom. About three weeks prior to their scheduled departure, Barb went to David with a checklist of everything they would need to do, acquire, and prepare for before leaving. It seemed as if every detail, right down to the smallest of things, had been accounted for. Her biggest fear, she told her husband, was that they would forget something that would ruin their trip. She made it a habit to double-check the list daily. She made sure to hang it on the calendar next to the “save the date” card and eventually the formal invitation. She looked at these daily to keep her focused. Thank goodness, she would think to herself, for the invitations. Otherwise, she mused, I would surely forget! On the-five hour flight, the excited couple chatted about where they were headed. The reviewed the itinerary, which they brought along, to keep them guided and accountable for where, when and how the festivities would flow. They marveled at how detailed and precise the events were presented. Surely, one could not mess up such painstakingly laid-out details. The itinerary for Barbara and David stated they would enjoy two full days at a resort just to themselves. Travel arrangements were made to pick them up Thursday and Friday evenings to take them to rehearsals and dinners. On Saturday, they would be picked up again and taken to the lush, tropical garden where the ceremony would take place. A refreshment period would follow at a waterfront setting for guests to relax and enjoy each other’s company with food, drinks and music while the wedding party had pictures done. After, transportation would take guests to the “Crystal Cliff” mansion overlooking the Caribbean for the remainder of the evening where guests would celebrate with the newlyweds. At the end of the evening, guests would be taken to their hotels. A brunch Sunday morning would be provided seaside, and guests would then be able to relax and enjoy their time. For Barbara and David, this meant they would have Sunday and Monday to sightsee and relax before heading home. The couple also discussed on the plane the gratitude they felt for being offered this once-in-a-lifetime experience. How fortunate they were. They complimented themselves on how well they planned at home for this-right down to the smallest of details even. All to ensure a perfect trip. The plane landed and as promised, Barbara and David were whisked off to their room at the nearby resort to rest and get prepared for the days ahead. The big day came and Barbara woke early. “Wake up, Dave! It’s the big day! We must get ready! The day is finally here!” They enjoyed a sunrise stroll on the beach, a light breakfast on their sunny porch facing the ocean and they were off! In the limousine, Barb looked at the wedding announcement again. She smiled as she saw her name on the announcement. “Bride escorted by her father,” it read, “accompanied by music performed by soloist Barbara Richmond.” Her finger kept tracing her name embossed in gold. Barbara sang beautifully. Tears welled in David’s eyes when his eyes met hers. “I cannot wait to dance with her tonight,” he thought. “How lucky I am to have her. I will remember this moment always. And here! In paradise!” He said to himself. When the ceremony was over, Barbara and David enjoyed the two hours’ seaside with entertainment and food just as the itinerary promised. And, as also promised, the guests were taken to the heights of the cliff to enjoy the rest of the evening. On the ascent, Barbara reflected on many things: her life with Dave; how well provided for they felt; their children; their grandchildren. She breathed in the air and felt the sun on her face. She smiled as she held David’s hand. If this is this beautiful on the way up, she thought, then how much more beautiful will it be at the top! Finally, they reached the top. One by one each guest was escorted into the mansion. There, they waited for further instructions and sipped champagne in the vast lobby. A gold ribbon/sash was secured tightly at the bottom of the ornate, jeweled stairway. Soon, a harp was heard and a loud voice exclaimed, “All raise a toast to the long-awaited bride and groom!” Cheers rang out and many tears flowed as they entered the lobby. They made their way to the staircase where they cut the ribbon . Turning, they shouted, “You may follow us, but please be sure to await further instructions at the top.” Barbara felt her heart quicken as she and David ascended the stairway. Halfway up, she felt an odd stab of doubt and fear in her stomach, which she quickly dismissed as nerves. At the top, she kissed David and whispered, “We made it, honey!” “Names, please?” the maitre d’ asked of them. Barbara excitedly stated their names. The maitre d’ scrolled through the names. Not finding their names, he asked again. Barbara repeated their names, this time a bit nervous. Looking Barbara in the eye, he replied, “I do not find your names here; therefore, I must deny entry.” “Oh, there must be some mistake,” Barbara replied. “I must be in the book. I am the soloist. You must have heard me sing! I was invited!” The maitre d’ looked at the couple sadly. “You may have been invited, but you did not return your RSVP. You see, I have them all here. As the bride and groom received them, they immediately wrote the names in the book I have here. I have been told that under no circumstances am I to allow entry to anyone not found in the book, regardless of what they may say or what their situation may be. I am very sorry. I will need you to move to the side as to allow those with their names in the book to enter. The service elevator off to the side will take you to the basement where you may exit. The basement will be below the grand lobby. There you will be escorted out.“ Barbara started to wail as she and David were escorted away. She cried out to the crowd, “I am Barbara! The soloist! You all heard me sing! My name is etched in gold on the welcome announcement but not in the book of guests at the top! There must be some mistake! Help us! I beg you!” David was silent during the descent in the dark dirty elevator to the basement. “Barb, what just happened up there? What went wrong?” “Oh David, in all of our preparations I forgot to send in the RSVP card. I didn’t think we would need it since we were invited. A couple of times I thought about sending it in, but something always seemed to distract me. I always thought there would be more time. I assumed if we were invited then that is all that would be expected of us. My heart is broken as we may never get another invitation for an opportunity like that.” This is a true story. I heard Dr. David Jeremiah recite this account. I changed many things in it as far as locations, dates, etc. However, this woman was a soloist invited to a grand event. She did not return her RSVP and was denied entry to the final banquet and celebration. Today’s Scripture verse is oftentimes misunderstood. Now, I am not here to burst anyone’s bubble, but I am fairly certain we will not be getting our own mansion in Heaven. Will we have our own room? Who knows. Here is what we do know. When Jesus said He was going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, He was referring to His journey to the cross. The resurrection in three days would provide a fresh start for all and a promise or invitation to eternity to all who accept Him as Saviour. He went to the cross to create all things new and to provide a way for salvation. He serves as our intercessor. The bridge we need because of sin, between us and God. This is what He meant when He said, “I go to prepare a place for you.” The cross. “And where I am, there you also will be.” Our eternity. Of course, Heaven in itself must be something to behold. Don’t worry on not getting your own mansion. The Book of Revelation tells us that we will spend eternity in a place of no darkness, no tears and of great beauty. In fact, Heaven’s dimensions, foundation, gates, streets, etc., are all outlined in the last book of the Bible. So, yes, we get a mansion. THE mansion. To share. The perfect paradise. With the perfect King. What do we need to do? We know what to do. We need to RSVP by accepting Jesus Christ as our Saviour. Confessing our sins and true desire to follow Him. To the end. He went ahead of us and sent an invitation to follow. The back of your bulletin today has a sample RSVP. However, the real invitation and RSVP is right in front of you. The Bible. Inside you will find the invitation, expectations and itinerary all laid out in great detail. The RSVP is found in Jesus Christ. Send yours in today . Otherwise , entry may be denied. Amen. In Christ, Janet