"Friend, Go Up Higher..."

Jesus told a parable about a man who timidly enters a banquet hall where many people are gathered for a wedding supper. Feeling inadequate to associate with such an august body of guests, he finds a seat at the lower level of the huge room.Pointedly, the host urges him to go up higher, closer to him.Imagine your surprise when the heaven-sent Host lifts a nail-scarred hand and silences the crowd. With a strong voice, He beckons you to go up closer to His table. Everyone knows that you are special to Him, for He has called you "friend."Jesus wants this blessed familiarity with everyone. And His love never changes!He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.No one ever cared for me like Jesus,There's no other friend so kind as He.No one else could take the sin and darkness from me,O how much He cared for me.(C. F. Weigle 1932)Amen.