A nice tie in to the Gospel is found in our Proverbs messaging today, keeping in mind here that Wisdom here in the Proverbs is a metaphor for Jesus in the New Testament, so with that allegory in mind, let’s get into the text:  

Pro 9:1-6Wisdom has built her house, She has hewn out her seven pillars;  She has prepared her food, she has mixed her wine; She has also set her table; She has sent out her maidens, she calls From the tops of the heights of the city: “Whoever is naive, let him turn in here!” To him who lacks understanding she says,  “Come, eat of my food And drink of the wine I have mixed.  “Forsake your folly and live, And proceed in the way of understanding.”

So as we read that it sounds like the story of a woman who has opened her doors to foolish people who are stumbling and bumbling through life, looking for purpose in the ways of the world and finding no real fulfillment; which while written thousands of years ago, certainly rings true today…we can chase pleasures like money or status, but that doesn’t bring about real happiness.  Yet, here is lady wisdom calling out saying, set aside your foolish ways and come live a righteous life of understanding, that meaning you are looking for that’s not found in the world can be found with me. 

Now here in the New Testament, The Gospel message also says the same thing – we are all bound for the grave, and our sinful nature that is instinctive to us that has us pursuing these foolish things like money and vice is going to send us down below, but Christ Gospel Truth rings loud and proud, “take up your cross and follow Me” or turn away from the bad things you are doing, that bring you no kind of fulfillment, and follow Me for eternal life, and that is the central message of the Gospel, Follow Jesus and live with Him forever!  So the choice is clear, do we keep sinning and stumbling to an enteral punishment, or do we declare Christ as Lord, believe in His resurrection, set aside our sinful ways and follow Him…