Lunch With The President

Lunch with the President

Come! Gather together for the great banquet God has prepared.

Revelation 19:17

It is always an honor to be invited to have a meal with someone important. Former Secretary of Labor Raymond Donovan once told about a special invitation he received on board Air Force One.

Donovan was in the back compartment of the plush jet. President Ronald Reagan was in the front in his personal compartment. The phone rang in the back compartment, so Donovan answered.

“Mr. Donovan?” said a formal voice.

“Yes?”

“The president would like you to join him for lunch,” said the voice.

“Oh, well, thank you! I’ll be right there,” stammered Donovan.

Thinking how important he must be to receive an invitation to lunch with President Reagan, Secretary Donovan straightened his tie and walked toward the front of the huge plane. When he arrived, the president’s aide met him and escorted him forward. Just as he walked through the doorway into the president’s private compartment, the red phone rang—the presidential hotline!

The president picked up the phone and said, “Yes—uh-huh—yes. What are my options?”

Donovan’s heart almost stopped. His mind raced: What world leader must the president be talking to? What military commander? What world crisis must he be discussing at this very instant? And he was there! What a moment!

Then the president continued. “Okay, then I’ll have the iced tea,” and he hung up.

So much for ego.

We are invited to join the Lord for supper regularly, too, but it is not about us and how important we think we are—it is all about him and what he did for us.

Father, thank you for inviting us into your presence to partake of the memorial supper for your Son. We are honored and humbled to take the bread and wine that remind us of his great sacrifice and love for us. Amen.