🎶 Song 167 – The Invitation Still Remains

Paper 167 – The Visit to Philadelphia 🎶 Song: The Invitation Still Remains (Verse 1 – Breakfast with the Pharisees) At breakfast with the honored men, The Master taught their hearts again. "The highest seat is not your claim, The lowly soul finds lasting gain." The cups were clean for all to see, Yet inwardly no purity. "The Father judges deeper things, The hidden source from which life springs." (Verse 2 – The Great Supper) The banquet hall was standing full, The servants called with patient care. But fields and business claimed the day, And many chose to stay elsewhere. Then through the highways came the call, For poor and blind and weak and small. The King's great house was opened wide, Where willing hearts could step inside. (Chorus) The invitation still remains, Through joy and loss, through hopes and pains. The Father's feast awaits us all, If we will only heed the call. The invitation still remains, Beyond our pride and earthly aims. The door stands open even now, To every seeking soul somehow. (Verse 3 – The Woman of Infirmity) For eighteen years bowed down by fear, She carried darkness year by year. "If you believe," the Master said, And hope arose where joy seemed dead. Not chains of flesh but chains within, Had bent her soul beneath their weight. He spoke of liberty and life, And faith stood upright, strong and straight. (Verse 4 – The Message from Bethany) A runner came through evening air: "The one you love lies stricken there." Then silence fell around the room, As deeper purposes took form. Beyond the sickness, past the grave, One final sign the Father gave. For those who still refused the light, A greater witness would arise. (Verse 5 – On the Road to Bethany) Two men went up to seek God's face, One trusting works, one seeking grace. One praised himself before the skies, One smote his breast with humbled cries. The publican found mercy's door, The Pharisee received no more. For souls grow high when self grows small, And God exalts the humble call. (Verse 6 – Marriage and the Home) The Master honored hearth and home, Where love and faith together grow. Where man and woman side by side Become as one beneath God's eye. He spoke for children, women too, Against the customs that withdrew Their equal place beneath the sun, As daughters and as sons made one. (Verse 7 – Blessing the Little Children) The mothers came at break of day, The apostles sought to turn away. But Jesus called the children near, And welcomed every heart sincere. "Receive the kingdom as a child," With trust unspoiled and undefiled. For heaven opens most of all To those who answer love's first call. (Bridge) Truth and beauty, hand in hand, Lift the soul to understand. Under stars or forest trees, The Father speaks through harmonies. Not in splendor cold and bare, But simple wonder everywhere. The heart awakened learns to see, Creation's quiet majesty. (Verse 8 – The Talk About Angels) Nathaniel asked of realms above, Of angel hosts and Father's love. "They are not men who passed this way, But ministers of light," he'd say. They guide the pilgrim spirit home, Across the paths yet still unknown. From mortal night to mansion dawn, Their faithful ministry goes on. (Final Chorus) The invitation still remains, Beyond religion's empty claims. Not for the proud who seek acclaim, But hearts transformed in Jesus' name. The invitation still remains, Through every loss and earthly change. Until the Father's feast is won, And all his children gather home. 🎶📖🙏✨