Ride to eat and eat to ride is the moniker of many bikers. At least for me
and my friends it is, and many times of good fellowship were found after a great
ride. With food found to be a key ingredient to good fellowship. The Jewish
people put a special note on eating together, to spending time around the table,
and bikers are no different. But what about when you haven’t been out riding,
and cannot get out and fellowship? In one case for me, the wife of a biker came
to the rescue...
I was in rehab following my open heart surgery, not a pleasant place to
be. Lots of sick people in rehab, and I was one. Somehow the word got to the
cook I rode, and she came out and introduced herself. We talked riding, places
we had been, and why I was here. Then she took control of my ordering, making
up a special menu for me, with bigger portions, yet still within my dietary
constraints. While others craved snacks after a meal, I was full, she even
helped me make up my menu, and marked it special. All because I rode, or we
rode, brand of bike didn’t matter. She was the head of the kitchen, and in her
kitchen bikers never left hungry. It was the highlight, after being released,
of my stay there. We underestimate the brotherhood sometimes, some talk it, she
lived it. Amazing how God puts bikers where and when you need them, I always
say “if you need something done, call a biker.” This time one called on
me.
So in a world classified as rider and non, I am glad to be among the rider
group. There are owners who think they ride, some who used to ride, and others
who will someday when their wife or mother says “OK.” But either you ride or
you don’t, and if you really ride you know the difference. Same with Christians
too, outside of the JW’s and other cults who outwardly deny Jesus, all so-called
Christian religions claim to be Christian. But God sees it different, breaking
it down into two classes, saved or unsaved, or righteous or unrighteous. There
is no middle ground, no training period, no gray area. God calls them as he
sees them. We do different, to our own destruction. While some well meaning
but wrong groups claim we are all children of God, Jesus states different in the
gospel. He accused certain Pharisees of being children of the devil, not
created by him, but with the characteristics not of a Christian. Romans tells
us we are all born into sin and fall short of the glory of God, but reassures us
that at the right time Jesus died for us. So we could become children of God.
Which is why he explained to Nicodemus why he must be born again. Born into
sin, forgiven and born again into the kingdom of God. Which can make it hard to
tell the real from the fake sometimes.
I have known many church folk over the years, who live like Christians, but
do not claim Jesus. They fulfill their church or social obligations, but deny
Jesus. They do great things in society, but never know God. He tells them, “be
gone, I never knew you.” While to others, that are lukewarm, he throws up
because they make him sick. Too many live in that gray area that doesn’t exist
in scripture, which means that they are unrighteous or lost. They have denied
their advocate, Jesus Christ and have doomed themselves by their choice. No
wannabes, coulda beens, shoulda beens, or might have beens in heaven. Only
those who receive Jesus Christ. All of your knowledge, morality, service,
heritage, culture, denomination, or church affiliation will not help you here.
Those may not be bad things, but do not lead to salvation. Only knowing Jesus
is the way to be saved.
So while I didn’t take time to kiss the cook, I hope she knew how much she
helped me out. How welcome she made me feel in a strange situation. But
knowing bikers, we do it because of who we are, not because of our audience. A
lesson from Jesus, that we need to reflect in our lives. He loved us first, so
we can love others. Not because of who we are or what we did, but because of
who he is. He is love, no darkness at all. So if bikers know the fellowship,
and can tell the riders from the posers, don’t you think God can too? Are you
for real about Jesus, or filling a pew? Do you have the knowledge but not the
love? Do you know it all but not know him personally? Nicodemus one night left
confused, but returned 20 some chapters later claiming the body of Jesus. A
rich and powerful man, he risked it all for who he knew, not what he had known.
So don’t forget to kiss the cook, or to tell the truth. Nice people don’t
necessarily go to heaven, only saved ones do. It is time to stop looking and
start riding, to turn to Jesus and join the family of God. An honor he places
among his children only. But wishes all to become part of.
We underestimate brotherhood sometimes, to fully know it we need to become
brothers and sisters. The cook reminded me of that, that she served all, but
the brotherhood allowed me into her kitchen for special meals not on the menu.
God has things on his menu for us, if only we come to him. But yet comes to us
when we are down and out. Only a loving father would do that. Only a loving
God would reach down to us. Enjoy a special meal with him today, be warmed by
the hearth, and enjoy a fellowship reserved only for family. All are welcome,
many are called, only a few chosen. God has set a place for you at his table
today, sit a spell, take your shoes off, y’all come back, hear!
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com