The Invitation

I received an invitation from the Wesley Class to their Friday night get together. I usually attend, they are a fun group, friends of Rhonda and I, our largest class, and the food is always great. But I really misunderstood this particular invitation. The class was more insistent on our coming, even talking to Rhonda separately. I figured out why when we arrived a few minutes late, as they sang happy birthday, put us at the front of the line with my favorite desert, banana pudding, and the gave me a stack of birthday cards. It was more than the usual invitation, it was personal.
When you think about it this is what Jesus is; He is God’s invitation to us. He said, “I have come to seek and to save that which was lost”. “Come unto me all you that labor and are heaven laden and I will give you rest”, “How oft I would have had you come to me, but you would not”. “Come follow me”. Jesus is God’s invitation to a new life, a new way of life, and new existence in relationship with Jesus Christ God’s Son. We are invited to walk with Him from Bethlehem, the Sea of Galilee, the Jericho Road, the City of Jerusalem, the Mount of Olives, Golgotha, the empty tomb, and one day into everlasting life, and even more importantly, right where we are today. Jesus is all about the invitation, He will make no one believe, accept, or follow Him, but for those who accept the invitation: “The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord”, and you “we are new creatures in Christ, the old has passed away, and behold all things have become new.”
I am glad I took the time to respond to the Wesley Class invitation to my own surprise birthday party. We will always be glad when we accept the invitation that God gives in His Son Jesus Christ.
Mike