A great multitude from Galilee followed Him, and from Judea, and from Jerusalem, and from Idumaea, and from beyond Jordan, and they about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they had heard what great things He did, came unto Him. Mark 3:7,8
Even the most elastic imagination cannot bring together an adequate picture of the magnificence of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. Scripture is fairly silent on the details of this great event to which we are hastening. The grandeur and glory of that great supper exceed our capabilities to comprehend, and yet, thinking on that spectacular moment, we can conjure up some fleeting images – couched in earthly terms, of course – to whet our appetite. The seating arrangements, for example, will draw together those who cannot possibly share anything, let alone a meal, here on earth. Imagine, if you will, a former king of England passing the gravy to a former leper from the slums of Rio de Janeiro. Or watch a former great evangelist share a chuckle with a martyr from the killing fields of Cambodia. Folks from every possible nation and tribe mingle with folks from every possible social level; saints from every possible occupation and station on earth break bread joyfully with those from every possible ideology and custom. Who but the Lord Jesus could assemble such a diverse crowd?
We appreciate today the way in which our Lord is able to assemble in His Assemblies those of diverse personality and background. Like the folks in today’s text, we heard about what He has done, and we came unto Him. Nothing in the world unites people like the relationship we share with the Lord Jesus. This great unity is not something we have created or drafted. No, this unity comes of a common desire to be in the presence of our Lord. We have simply responded to His invitation, and we have simply blended into a common purpose: Let the Lord be magnified (Psalm 35:27).
Consider the people in our text, and their haste to see Jesus, to listen to His preaching, and to watch His great works. These folks were excited beyond measure, and no doubt gestured and exclaimed among themselves as they watched the Lord at work. As far as they were concerned, there was no other subject of conversation and no other event worth attending, than the presence of the Lord Jesus among them. I believe this same excitement will envelope us at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. And I wish this same excitement and common theme would get a grip on the Lord’s people today.
May the little differences of so many kinds among God’s people not hinder us from being excited about the presence of the Lord Jesus, and from sharing in the greatness of His presence -Jim MacIntosh