I was recently reminded of the movie Babette's Feast based on the book by Isak Dinesen and the wonderful illustration it provides of grace. I like Philip Yancey's description of grace, that it costs everything for the giver and nothing for the recipient. We are mistaken to think the grace of God is free because it came at a tremendous cost to Him, even as the feast Babette prepared. As adopted children of God our freedom came at the cost of God's only begotten Son.
It's a funny thing how things we receive for free are not valued like things we worked to earn. The guests at Babette's feast (save the amazed and verbose General) had no appreciation for the quality of the food and drink placed before them course after course. Had they been accustomed to such foods it is likely they could have even been critical, not complimentary as the General was. Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 6:17, "Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy." It is God who has richly given us all things to enjoy in life, and having received such bountiful love and grace we should be perpetually thankful.
Babette chose to spend her lottery winnings on others rather than herself, and it was the sheer delight to bless others which motivated her. It was not to show the spinsters she lived with how her culinary skills were superior, or to show the superiority of French cuisine over cod and gruel. That is what makes her humble gift of an exquisite meal so remarkable, that all the townsfolk needed to do was attend to receive a free meal. Their presence was a gift Babette was pleased to receive so she could serve. Hasn't our God done even a more remarkable thing that He would invite sinners to receive of the Holy Spirit, a new nature, forgiveness, and salvation? May our hearts be filled with gratitude for the Living Bread come down from heaven who offered Himself freely so we might live.
It's a funny thing how things we receive for free are not valued like things we worked to earn. The guests at Babette's feast (save the amazed and verbose General) had no appreciation for the quality of the food and drink placed before them course after course. Had they been accustomed to such foods it is likely they could have even been critical, not complimentary as the General was. Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 6:17, "Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy." It is God who has richly given us all things to enjoy in life, and having received such bountiful love and grace we should be perpetually thankful.
Babette chose to spend her lottery winnings on others rather than herself, and it was the sheer delight to bless others which motivated her. It was not to show the spinsters she lived with how her culinary skills were superior, or to show the superiority of French cuisine over cod and gruel. That is what makes her humble gift of an exquisite meal so remarkable, that all the townsfolk needed to do was attend to receive a free meal. Their presence was a gift Babette was pleased to receive so she could serve. Hasn't our God done even a more remarkable thing that He would invite sinners to receive of the Holy Spirit, a new nature, forgiveness, and salvation? May our hearts be filled with gratitude for the Living Bread come down from heaven who offered Himself freely so we might live.
Hello Pastor Ben. I am also a Pastor from Mumbai, India. I am glad to stop by your profile on the blogger and the blog post. I am alos blessed and feel privileged and hoboured to get connected with you as well as know you and about you being Pastor. I am so encouraged by your blog post on "The Feast Of Grace". Relating Bebette's example to let us know how much more God has done for the sinners like us. I love getting connected with the people of God around the globe to be encouraged, strengtthened and praying for one another. I have been in the Pastoral ministry for the love 40 yrs in this great city of Mumbai a city with a great contrast where richest of rich and the poorest of poor live. We reach out to the poorest of poor with the love of Christ to bring healing to the brokenhearted. We also encouarage young and teh adults from the west to come to Mumbai to work with us during their vacation time. We would love to have your young people come to Mumbai to wrok with us during their vacation time. I am sure they will have a life changing experience. Looking forward to hear from you very soon. God's richest blessings on you, yuur family and friends. My email id is: dhwankhede(at)gmail(dot)com and my name is Diwakar Wankhede.
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