Such a deal ∙∙

Such a deal ∙∙

Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat. Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. – Isaiah 55:1

Isaiah 55:1-6

1 Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink – even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk – it’s all free!

2 Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good? Listen to me, and you will eat what is good. You will enjoy the finest food.
3 Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life. I will make an everlasting covenant with you. I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David.

6 Seek the LORD while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near.

The Towering Promise of the Church of the Open Door

For more than 70 years, the Church of the Open Door stood tall in downtown Los Angeles at 550 S. Hope Street, making it an anchor in the bustling city. But it wasn’t just the grandeur of its architecture that captured attention. Atop this magnificent building were enormous, three-story-tall signs emblazoned with the powerful declaration, “JESUS SAVES.” Beneath these towering billboards were smaller, more humble signs with a simple message: “Free Food.” Many were drawn to the church, intrigued by the promise of “Free Food.”

The Paradox of Free Provision

The promise of “free food” is intriguing. Who wouldn’t want the opportunity to take what they need without cost? And yet, Scripture often presents ideas that challenge us to think deeper, like the invitation in Isaiah 55:1. It reads, “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.”

At first glance, this message seems contradictory. How can one purchase something that is free? The simple answer is you can’t. The more complicated answer is that somebody must pay for it; it’s just not you! Free doesn’t mean costless; it means the cost has already been covered.

A Gift Beyond Price

Food and drink are essential for survival, making their value immeasurable to those in desperate need. Now, imagine being offered what you need most, completely free of charge. Some people would grab hold of the opportunity immediately, while others might hesitate, doubting the authenticity of such an offer.

The Father provides a gift that is even more essential than physical sustenance. He offers something so invaluable that no human being could afford it. He already paid for it. And now He offers it for free. The point is that the food and drink are free. The Father has provided them in abundance. They are there for the taking. All that’s needed is an open hand. Such a deal!

Satisfying Spiritual Hunger and Thirst

Just as our bodies experience hunger and thirst, our souls also have deep cravings for fulfillment and connection. These spiritual needs are real and often go unmet, leaving a sense of emptiness. But the Father, in His infinite love, has provided for these profound longings with an eternal gift. It’s as though He’s gently calling and saying, “I’ve already paid the price. Here it is, freely given. All you need to do is reach out and take it.”

REFLECT & PRAY

Hunger and thirst are not a problem but an opportunity.

Father, I acknowledge my deep spiritual hunger and thirst. I am confident that You have provided for me. Encourage me to seek out the nourishment and contentment that You have made available. Thank You that the price is paid in full.

INSIGHT

The Bread of Life and Living Water

The Lord Jesus Christ declares in John 6:35: “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.”

He extends an extraordinary invitation, offering to quench the deepest hunger and thirst of the human spirit. Just as physical food and drink sustain life, Jesus promises spiritual nourishment that satisfies totally for all eternity.

This invitation is echoed again in John 7:37-38, where Jesus stands among the crowd and cries out, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’”

Here, Jesus refers to the Spirit, the life-giving presence children of the King would later receive. His promise isn’t just to meet our needs but to fill us so abundantly that the blessings overflow, bringing life and renewal to others.

We are warmly invited to receive what we need but cannot earn or afford. God’s provision is both immediate and generous, but it also carries an urgency that demands our attention.

The Urgency of God’s Offer

Isaiah 55:6 reminds us, “Seek the LORD while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near.” The opportunity to receive the Father’s abundant provision doesn’t last forever. His offer, though magnificent, is not indefinite. The opportunity may be rescinded at any time. It is an appeal rooted in immediacy.

This point is underscored in Hebrews 4:7, which declares, “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts.” The window of opportunity is defined as “today,” signaling “while you still have the chance” (Zane Hodges). Why would anyone turn down a free gift?

This question is answered in the historical account of the Exodus, which recounts the liberation from Egyptian slavery under the leadership of Moses. Upon reaching the promised land, it was available for the taking at no cost. However, they refused it. They closed their hearts to the gift offered by the Father—a warning for all who follow.

They did not get a second chance. Instead, they returned to the wilderness and wandered around until they all died. Only two men, Joshua and Caleb, entered the promised land, claiming a gift that had been available to their peers decades earlier. The stark lesson here is clear: to obey God is to open the door to blessings, but to reject Him is to invite unnecessary hardship, a self-inflicted curse (Stanley).

A Warning Against Hardening Our Hearts

It’s easy to look back at the generation of Exodus and think, “I wouldn’t have been so stubborn. I would have obeyed.” But a closer reflection may reveal otherwise. How often do we resist God’s call, ignore His guidance, or choose our own way over His?

Hebrews 3:12-13 urges us to stay vigilant, warning: “Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God. You must warn each other every day, while it is still ‘today,’ so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God.”

Encouraging One Another

Sin has a way of creeping in, deceiving us, and causing our hearts to grow cold if we aren’t careful. The hymn “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” captures this truth poignantly in the line, “Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God I love.” Our hearts are naturally inclined to drift away from God. Because of this, the Father has established a support system – a sense of shared care and caution among the children of the King. It is incumbent upon us to uplift and encourage each other every single day.

God’s offer of spiritual sustenance, hope, and rest is an open invitation. But it must be answered. The time to respond is always now, not later. The Lord Jesus Christ, the bread of life, stands ready to meet our every need. Reach out your hand and receive what only He can give.

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© Dr. H 2025