07/20/20 VA TECH FOOTBALL #1 — Don’t go blaming me. Yesterday morning Pastor John Green’s masterful, powerful sermon concerned Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem based on Matthew 21:1-11. It may very well be that Virginia Tech currently stages the most spectacular college football team entrance in the land. But Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem to begin Passion Week is the Grandest Entrance in All of Human History!

Pastor John described how fans at the VT football stadium nearly cause an earthquake when the “Hokies” take the field before a game. That’s MY school! His remarks and the short video brought back some vivid memories, which I’d like to share.

When I was a student there (eons ago!), there were so many fans attending the home games, that the entire stadium looked like it was burgundy. Surely some fans of the other team were there, but they were so few and far between, there was NO special section for them. It almost seemed as if only VT rooters were present. Several of Jesus’ parables concerned feasts and banquets, and exactly who were permitted to attend.

In Matthew 22:1-14, Jesus described a king’s wedding banquet. The king noticed a man who was not wearing the proper apparel (which the king himself undoubtedly passed out to the guests). He confronted the man; the guy was "speechless." Matthew 22:13 (CSB) says “Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him up hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’” Someday, at the marriage feast of the Lamb—Jesus Christ—only devoted “fans” (believers) will be in attendance. What a grand occasion that will be! I’ve made my reservation (in fact, I’ve already suggested one of my favorite menus to God); what about you!?